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Brazil, after the unexpected 0-0 debut against Costa Rica, settled into Group D with a resounding 4-1 victory against Paraguay and was one step away from sealing its ticket to the quarterfinals of the Copa América United States 2024. One of the great protagonists of the day was the forward Vinicius Juniorauthor of two goals, a failed “lambreta” and having a fight with a rival.
Once the match was over, which decreed the elimination of the Albirroja with one game left (in their debut they lost 2-1 to Colombia), the Argentine coach Daniel Garnero was asked if the Real Madrid player’s style of play was provocative and he did not hesitate: “He has a way of playing that is obviously not very comfortable for rivals to accept. But hey, that’s what the referee is for. The referee has to set those limits for him, and then he obviously plays the way he thinks is best for him.”
However, at the start of the press conference, the Argentine coach was full of praise for the attacker who came from Flamengo: “Vinicius is an elite player. I have no doubts about that, there is no doubt.” With one day left, the zone was led by Colombia, winner of their two matches and who on the last day will compete head to head for first place with Verdeamarela (4). Paraguay, now without mathematical possibilities, will close its participation in the competition this Tuesday, July 2 against Gustavo Alfaro’s Costa Rica (1).
“I think the game, especially in the first half, up to the 40th minute, was a close game. In fact, we had perhaps also had some situations. And unfortunately, in those three minutes we lost concentration a bit. Unfortunately, they scored two goals against us that made a huge difference in the result,” analyzed the former coach of Olimpia and Libertad of Paraguay.
In another fragment, Garnero explained: “The truth is that for me the boys made a very big effort in a large part of the game. It was very even, but they scored goals at important moments. They were very far ahead in a very short time. We are in those situations where one rebound, all rebounds, are negative. Two rebounds were penalties. The second goal, one rebound also in our favor. We have nothing left of that, and that affects us emotionally. The truth is that a very big effort was made. In many moments of the game, they were on par with a national team that has excellent footballers.”
“I believe that this is not our reality. I believe that we have players who have a much higher level, but what happens is that we go to the result and the result is very bad. We cannot score the goals that I tell you. The first half Damián (Bobadilla) had a ball that he rebounded, it was going to the corner and the goalkeeper took it out. That would have given confidence to the team, to Damián, to everyone. And we are missing it. Julito (Enciso) also hooked in the second and put it in at an angle and the goalkeeper took it out. Today we are not at our best. There is no doubt about that. And the responsibility of the Copa América? Totally mine”, concluded the DT.
Table of positions for Group D of the Copa América 2024:
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