Having drawn their opening game against Costa Rica, the Selecao knew a victory was crucial to boost their chances of reaching the knockout stages, and they delivered with a convincing win in Las Vegas.
Things weren’t going to plan when Lucas Paqueta fired a penalty well wide on 31 minutes, but moments later a slick passing move allowed Vinicius Junior to slip the ball home to hand his side the advantage, which Savinho doubled on 42 minutes.
Then in first-half stoppage time, some woeful defending by the Paraguayans allowed Vinicius to prod home a simple second of the night, seemingly putting the result to bed with 45 still to play.
However Omar Alderete hammered home a shot from 25 yards to pull one back, but a controversial spot-kick award allowed Paqueta to make amends from 12 yards to restore the three-goal cushion, and seal the points.
Gabi entered the fray with three minutes of normal time remaining to get his first action of the tournament, while Gabriel Martinelli remained on the bench.
Brazil now face Colombia in their third and final group game, who have won both of their matches so far and know a draw would be enough to see them win the group, while our Gabis will be aiming for a win that would see them leapfrog the current leaders.
Gabriel Martinelli came on in the 83rd minute of Brazil’s 0-0 draw with Costa Rica on Tuesday.
Gabriel Magalhaes was an unused substitute.
Martinelli was brought on to replace Joao Gomes in the opening game of Group D in the Copa America.
It was his 11th appearance for the national team.
Marquinhos had the ball in the back of the net in the 30th minute but he was found to be offside after a VAR check.
Meanwhile, in Euro 2024, David Raya and Jorginho are both through to the knockout stages with Spain and Italy respectively.
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