Paraguay defeated Jamaica 1-0 Tuesday in a lackluster Group B match at the Copa Am rica, giving the South Americans four points from their first two matches.
Paraguay took a giant step towards the quarter-finals of the Copa America Tuesday after a freak goal from Mexico-based striker Edgar Benitez handed them a 1-0 win over Jamaica.The South Americans, who grabbed a dramatic 2-2 draw with tournament favourites Argentina in their opening game, moved to the top of Group B with four points heading into the final round of group games.
The game’s only goal came on 36 minutes, when a long ball forward from midfielder Victor Caceres forced a catastrophic howler from Jamaica goalkeeper Duwayne Kerr, who plays for Norwegian club side Sarpsborg 08.Kerr, standing several yards outside the penalty box, miscued a headed clearance straight into the body of the advancing Benitez. The ball cannoned off Benitez’s legs and looped up and over the stranded Kerr before rolling into the net.
Paraguay had most of the possession in the match, but scored an unconvincing winner.Paraguay’s Roque Santa Cruz had at least three first-half chances, including a long, soaring shot that Kerr leaped to save. Raul Bobadilla also had several chances in the first half.They did not dominate the second half as Jamaica tried to attack. But the islanders seldom looked like scoring. Paraguay’s Miguel Samudio hit the crossbar in the 60th, trying to extend Paraguay’s lead. Victor Caceres also had two early chances. Garath McCleary had Jamaica’s best chance in the second half, shooting just inches wide of the far post in the 80th.
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On Saturday, Paraguay face Uruguay and Jamaica play Argentina.
By AFP
