Paraguay and Brazil will aim to get their first wins at Copa America 2024 when they clash at the Allegiant Stadium this week.
The 2024 Copa America has been excellent thus far, serving us some eye-catching fixtures in the first week. Group D is evenly poised after Brazil failed to beat Costa Rica on Matchday 1; the Selecao will be in action for Matchday 2 this week when they lock horns with Paraguay at the Allegiant Stadium.
Paraguay would have hoped for a better start to the 2024 Copa America. However, they gave a good account of themselves on Matchday 1 despite losing 2-1 to Colombia. The Guaraníes have blown hot and cold in the last 18 months, winning only two of their ten most recent outings.
As for Brazil, they have embarked on a slow start to life under the tutelage of Dorival Junior. While the Selecao started with a narrow win over England, they have managed only one more victory in four subsequent outings. The South American powerhouses began their Copa America 2024 campaign with a drab goalless draw with Costa Rica.
The most recent match-up featuring Paraguay and Brazil ended in a 4-0 win for the Selecao, with Raphinha, Philippe Coutinho, Antony, and Rodrygo finding the back of the net. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Paraguay
Daniel Garnero does not have any new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Brazil, Paraguay’s head coach will have a full-strength squad at his disposal.
However, Garnero will be wary of the players walking the suspension tightrope, with Gustavo Velazquez and Andres Cubas in danger of missing the game against Costa Rica on Matchday 3 if they pick up a yellow card.
Rodrigo Morinigo will take his spot between the sticks after making his international debut against Colombia. Paraguay will line up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of the 25-year-old against Brazil, with the backline featuring Gustavo Velazquez, Fabian Balbuena, Omar Alderete, and Matias Espinoza.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Matias Rojas, Andres Cubas, and Hernesto Caballero, with the trio looking to keep things tight in the middle of the park. Finally, Alex Arce will lead the line for Paraguay, with Angel Romero and Julio Enciso completing the numbers in the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Morinigo; Velazquez, Balbuena, Alderete, Espinoza; Rojas, Cubas, Caballero; Romero, Arce, Enciso
Brazil
Like his counterpart in the Paraguayan dugout, Dorival Junior does not have any issues to deal with ahead of the trip to the Allegiant Stadium. Brazil’s head coach will have a fully-fit squad at his disposal this week.
Alisson Becker will take his usual spot between the sticks, with Brazil lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Paraguay. The backline should feature Danilo, Eder Militao, Marquinhos, and Guilherme Arana.
As for the midfield unit, Douglas Luiz should line up alongside Bruno Guimaraes in the double pivot. The duo will aim to shore up the things in the middle of the park while initiating quick transitions.
The offensive quartet should form a dynamic partnership, with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo interchanging positions in the final third. Lucas Paqueta will reprise the No. 10 role, with Raphinha completing the numbers in the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Danilo, Militao, Marquinhos, Arana; Guimaraes, Luiz; Raphinha, Paqueta, Rodrygo; Junior
Key Stats
- Paraguay and Brazil have previously locked horns 83 times, with the Selecao having the upper hand in the head-to-head record with 51 wins (D19 L13).
- Paraguay are unbeaten in their last five matches against Brazil in Copa America, the second-longest streak achieved by any team against the Selecao in the competition’s history. These sides have played out four successive draws in their most recent Copa America meetings, the longest streak of stalemates between two teams in the competition’s history.
- Paraguay have only won one of their last six games in all competitions (D2 L3), with that record extending to two victories in the ten most recent outings.
- Brazil are yet to taste defeat in 2024 after ending 2023 with three successive defeats and a four-match winless run. However, they have managed only two victories in five outings thus far this year (D3).
- Brazil recorded 49 entries into Costa Rica’’s penalty area on Matchday 1, their joint-highest figure in a Copa America match since such data began being recorded in 2011 (also versus Paraguay in 2019).
Player to Watch
Vinicius Junior
With Brazil failing to get a much-needed win on Matchday 1, Dorival Junior will look towards his best player for inspiration ahead of his team’s latest fixture. The Real Madrid attacker has the talismanic qualities to get his side out of the rut.
With Brazil missing a world-class striker, Vinicius Junior needs to do the bulk of the goalscoring. While that is not his forte, he has the qualities to embark on a scoring streak and drag his team back to winning ways against Paraguay.
Prediction
Paraguay 0-1 Brazil
The four most recent meetings in Copa America between Paraguay and Brazil have ended in a draw, with the Selecao not winning a match in five attempts in the continental competition against Los Guaraníes. So, Dorival Junior will know his men cannot take Paraguay lightly, especially after failing to beat Costa Rica on Matchday 1.
Brazil’s 49 penetrations into the opposition box against Costa Rica make for a promising read. However, their finishing ability has left much to be desired, and unless they improve that, another stalemate might be on the cards. However, individual brilliance should drag the Selecao over the line, with Vinicius Junior delivering the three points against Paraguay.
