With a couple of spectacular assists from James Rodriguezwho came out applauded NRG Stadium from Houston (90+2′), Colombia defeated 2-1 Paraguay in his debut in the Copa America 2024 to momentarily take the leadership of the Group D waiting for the match between Brazil and Costa Rica.
The coffee team extended its undefeated streak to 24 games without losing21 since the Argentine Nestor Lorenzo took the bench in the midst of failure for not qualifying the World Cup Qatar 2022.
Colombia’s last defeat was on February 1, 2022 when they lost 1-0 to Argentina in the Conmebol Qualifiers for the last World Cup.
La Tricolor opened the scoring at minute 32. James Rodriguezcriticized by his country’s fans for his performance in the clubs where he has played in recent years, received the ball on the left side of the field, made a feint and hit a left-footed shot to the far post where it appeared Daniel Muñoz to connect the header center and beat the Paraguayan nets.
Colombia was motivated by the great atmosphere at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, and 10 minutes later extended its lead.
Again, another gem of James Rodriguez. The Brazilian Sao Paulo creative took advantage of a foul on the right wing to put another poisoned left foot shot into the area that he barely headed. Jefferson Lerma to give direction to the goal for 2-0 at 42′.
Paraguay responded in the second half with a great play by Ramón Sosa on the left to ‘eat’ the Colombian defense and put a cross into the second post where it appeared Julio Encisothe jewel of Brighton in the Premier League, to ignite the ball with a right volley that beat Camilo VargasAtlas goalkeeper, in the 69th minute.
He VAR was the protagonist in the 86th minute to prevent Colombia from winning the match 3-1 due to a penalty Gustavo Velazquez about Yerry Mina which was reversed.
On the next day of the Copa América 2024, Colombia will face Costa Rica in Glendale, Arizona, on Friday, June 28; while Paraguay will face Brazil in Las Vegas, Nevada, that same day.
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