With suspense, the selected Colombia won 2-1 this Monday to his counterpart from Paraguay at the beginning of Group D of the Copa America 2024in a disputed duel at NRG Stadium in Houston and refereed by the Argentinian Darío Herrera.
With this result, Néstor Lorenzo’s team reached its 24th match without losing -21 with the Argentine as coach- thanks to the two assists from James Rodríguez for the goals of Daniel Muñoz and Jefferson Lerma. For the Guaraní cast led by Daniel Garnero, Julio Enciso discounted.
The coffee team arrived at the presentation with two friendly victories: The first was a 5-1 win over the United States, the second a resounding 3-0 win over Bolivia. For their part, the Guarani fell 3-0 to Chile in the first preparation match and then beat Panama 1-0.
Although Enciso generated the first risky action with a free kick that Camilo Vargas contained, Colombia little by little took over the process under the leadership of its captain Rodríguez. Although before that he had to suffer the early injury of John Lucumí, replaced by Yerry Mina and his considerable 1.93 meter height.
James provided a spectacle with his excellent punch and from him came the many Colombians. The first one he received on the left side, he hammocked before a Guaraní defenderfeinted with class and sent a precise center so that Muñoz will rise and nailed a header that surpassed goalkeeper Morinigo.
Ten minutes later, the Colombian reference who currently plays in San Pablo rubbed the lamp again and from a free kick Lerma scored the second goal, which also turned upside down to extend the advantage. Already in the complement, the scoring midfielder would also retire injured and Mateus Uribe entered for him.
Paraguay returned from the break and the changes that Garnero made -former emblem of Independiente- They began to be productive.
However, Albirroja was careless behind and Colombia, in advantage and against, was able to settle the lawsuitonly that Luis Díaz, Liverpool forward, failed in the definition after a new genius from James, who after a while was overly generous and was able to score his own goal, but chose to give it to a teammate and the play was countered.
Enciso’s discount filled Lorenzo’s team with doubts. In the end, Herrera took center stage for collecting a supposed penal that at the request of the VAR then dismissed open mic. And it was a triumph for Colombia, which will be facing Costa Rica on Friday. Paraguay, for its part, will face with Brazil.
