Winner of the gold medal in Rio-2016 and Tokyo-2020, Brazil fell 1-0 against Paraguay this Monday in the opening of the final quadrangular of the South American Pre-Olympic towards Paris-2024 and loses margin of error in its two remaining games.
Fabrizio Peralta, Cerro Porteño midfielder who was in Flamengo's youth ranks, scored with a header in the 45th minute+2, by taking advantage of a high ball that the Brazilian goalkeeper, Mycael, took too long to attack.
Endrick, the Brazilian attacker who shone in Palmeiras and has already signed with Real Madrid, missed a penalty shortly before the goal that would end up deciding the match at the Brígido Iriarte stadium, in Caracas.
In the second hour, this same Monday, the host Venezuela faces Argentina in a match between teams that finished the first phase undefeated. Two places in the next Olympic Games are at stake in this U-23 tournament, in which Colombia was eliminated in the group stage in its worst historical performance in Conmebol tournaments.
This was Paraguay's victory against Brazil
As had been happening in the Pre-Olympic, Brazil had problems controlling the match against a Paraguay that took away the ball and the initiative in the first half.
And this time, unlike the previous matches, the Endrick-John Kennedy duo up front did not have the effectiveness they had shown.
Diego Gómez led Paraguay, who pushed a blurred but threatening Seleçao towards their own goal.
Endrick, scorer of two goals in the tournament, however, had the chance to give Brazil the advantage in the 25th minute, by taking a penalty caused by himself. His shot was blocked by goalkeeper Ángel González.
The Palmeiras promise and next Real Madrid player came close again about half an hour into the game, stealing a ball on the edge of the area and kicking. He lacked precision. And in the 43rd minute he threw a back pass to John Kennedy, with everything in his favor, but the Fluminense attacker also lacked aim.
Paraguay, which had had two good chances with headers from Gilberto Flores, had its moment in the air. Mycael hesitated as he left. Peralta never hesitated. The 21-year-old midfielder, a U-17 World Cup player with Paraguay in 2019, connected to score.
Brazil's coach, Ramon Menezes, renewed his midfield zone with the entry of Gabriel Pec and Marquinhos and his team had more possession of the ball in the second half, but it was sterile. Although Paraguay had to retreat, it resisted without major scares.
SPORTS
With AFP
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