The Paraguayan National Team struck the blow in the South American Under 23 Olympic Qualifiers
and beat
Brazil
1-0 at the beginning of the final quadrangular, a key step in their hope of returning to play in the
Olympic Games
for the first time since Athens 2004, when they fell. in the final against Marcelo Bielsa's Argentina and won the silver medal.
The Guaraní team never let itself be intimidated by the power of the Verdeamarela, they played with authority and, without shining, won deservedly.
Paraguay came out determined to stand in the rival field, to press high and won the battle in the middle of the field against a Brazilian team that also wanted to take that leading role but, for much of the match, was unable to gain a foothold.
However,
Ramón Menezes
' men managed to counteract this lack of functioning with the hierarchy of their attackers.
First
Endrick
, the Palmeiras youth player who will play for Real Madrid, gained position inside the area and 26 minutes into the first half they gave him a penalty that goalkeeper Ángel González saved himself.
GONZÁLEZ STOPPED THE PENALTY!
🇵🇾
❌ The Paraguayan goalkeeper blocked Endrick's shot.
For now, Paraguay and Brazil remain 0-0.
🎙️ @aruli75 - @rodrigojcastro
CONMEBOL #PreolímpicoEnDSPORTS pic.twitter.com/378Q9cGnh6
— DSports (@DSports) February 5, 2024
Then, again the 17-year-old jewel was facing the goal but her shot went wide and, minutes from the end of the initial half, she created a chance at sheer speed that
John Kennedy,
Boca's executioner in the Cup final Libertadores, could not specify.
INCREDIBLE WHAT KENNEDY MISTAKEN!
❌🇧🇷
▶️ After a great effort by Endrick, the Fluminense player missed the opportunity inside the area.
🎙️ @aruli75 - @rodrigojcastro
CONMEBOL #PreolímpicoEnDSPORTS pic.twitter.com/ljsCqg63JC
— DSports (@DSports) February 5, 2024
And, as an old football axiom says,
goals that are not scored in one goal are suffered in the other
.
Brazil failed to take advantage of those opportunities and Paraguay made them pay dearly.
In the added time of the first 45 minutes,
Fabrizio Peralta,
Cerro Porteño midfielder, went to look for an aerial ball that fell inside the area, headed goalkeeper Mycael and made it 1-0.
PARAGUAY GOAL!
🇵🇾
⚽ In one of the last moments of the first half, Peralta arrived first than Mikhail and made it 1-0 for Albirroja against Brazil.
🎙️ @aruli75 - @rodrigojcastro
CONMEBOL #PreolímpicoEnDSPORTS pic.twitter.com/IPZIsUrk7R
— DSports (@DSports) February 5, 2024
From there, La Albirroja alternated moments of good play in the complement with others in which they had to resist the attacks of their rival, who due to the urgency of the result attacked with many people.
Canarinha dominated in the final stretch of the match, but lacked clarity in the final meters to reach the tie.
Thus, Paraguay, which will be Argentina's next rival (Thursday at 5 p.m.), takes three gold points dreaming of
Paris 2024.