Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Copa America clash between Paraguay and Brazil, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
After a frustrating opening match at the Copa America, Brazil return to the field on Friday, when they battle Paraguay in Group D action at Allegiant Stadium.
Selecao were held 0-0 by Costa Rica in their opening match, while the Paraguayans’ comeback on matchday one came up short, as they were beaten 2-1 by Colombia.
Match preview
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The opening half-hour of their match with Colombia went about as well as Daniel Garnero could have hoped for, with Paraguay frustrating the opposition in a compact, low block.
A 32nd-minute goal from Daniel Munoz forced the manager to change tactics, leaving his side in the unenviable position of having to chase a result.
La Albirroja have rarely been effective when falling behind, losing 18 consecutive matches after conceding the opening goal.
Meanwhile, they have gone on to lose their last three Copa America fixtures when trailing after 45 minutes, two of which were in normal time.
Paraguay have responded nicely following a setback, though, collecting a clean sheet immediately after a defeat on three consecutive occasions.
They have not suffered consecutive defeats at the Copa America in 90 minutes since 2016, when they followed up a narrow defeat to Colombia (2-1) with a 1-0 loss against the hosts, the USA.
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The biggest shock on matchday one occurred at SoFi Stadium in California, where Selecao failed to capitalise on several scoring opportunities.
Dorival Junior‘s men dominated the Costa Ricans in virtually every statistical category, including possession (74%), expected goals (1.66 to 0.03) and actions in the rival area (49 to two).
However, in the most important stat, the scoresheet, Brazil came up short, failing to find the back of the net in two consecutive Copa America encounters dating back to the 2021 final (1-0 defeat versus Argentina).
Eight years ago, at this tournament, they were in the same position and answered back brilliantly, following up a 0-0 draw with Ecuador in their opener with an emphatic 7-1 triumph over Haiti.
While 2016 was the last time they exited this tournament in the group stage, the Brazilians have not dropped points in consecutive group fixtures since 2015.
Selecao have not lost a match Copa America contest to Paraguay within 90 minutes since the 2004 group stage (2-1), though La Guaranies have beaten them in two of their previous three matches at this tournament, both times on penalties in 2015 and 2011.
Paraguay Copa America form:
Paraguay form (all competitions):
Brazil Copa America form:
Brazil form (all competitions):
Team News
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There are two Paraguayans currently on a yellow card and in danger of missing their final match with a caution on Friday, Gustavo Velazquez and Andres Cubas.
Rodrigo Morinigo made his first start between the sticks for Paraguay in place of Carlos Coronel, while Damian Bobadilla picked up his second cap for the senior squad.
Julio Enciso had their lone goal on matchday one, the first for the Brighton and Hove Albion striker with the national team.
Two changes were made to the Brazilian starting 11 on Monday from their friendly with the United States, as Guilherme Arana replaced Wendell at left-back and Eder Militao was the preferred choice at centre-back over Lucas Beraldo.
Douglas Luiz did not feature for the first time since a 2-0 defeat to Uruguay last October, while Endrick and Savio made their first appearances at the Copa America.
Marquinhos had a goal disallowed by VAR for offside in their opener, while Lucas Paqueta struck the woodwork in the second half and Alisson collected his first clean sheet with Brazil since the previous World Cup.
Paraguay possible starting lineup:
Morinigo; Velazquez, Balbuena, Alderete, Espinoza; Rojas, Cubas, Caballero; Romero, Arce, Enciso
Brazil possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Danilo, Militao, Marquinhos, Arana; Guimaraes, Luiz; Raphinha, Paqueta, Rodrygo; Junior
We say: Paraguay 0-2 Brazil
Their opening game could be the wakeup call Brazil need, and although they are young there is too much attacking talent for us to believe Selecao will be held off the scoresheet once again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.