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Tim Vickery, South America correspondent
Match soccer could be a little like a social media voice message performed 3 times quicker than regular. Time quickens. Groups out of the blue come collectively, or simply as shortly collapse below the extreme strain of the competitors.
Brazil have been subjected to the stress take a look at on Friday night time towards Paraguay after an underwhelming begin to their Copa América. Their opening show towards Costa Rica was in no way a catastrophe — however the targets didn’t come. On the finish of the 0-0 draw, captain Danilo — seen as an emblem of calm, rational management — was arguing with supporters within the stands.
A part of the issue is a consequence of the current failures of earlier Brazil sides, leaving the present group anticipated to pay a invoice for which they aren’t accountable. The strain cranked up nonetheless additional after fellow Group D opponents Colombia cruised to a 3-0 win over Costa Rica. It meant that Brazil took the sector towards Paraguay within the data that defeat would imply virtually sure elimination.
As a substitute, Brazil’s 4-1 win on Friday implies that, barring a mathematical miracle, they’ve booked their place within the quarterfinals. However they needed to confront a number of demons alongside the way in which.
The normal resilience of the Paraguayans has damaged Brazilian hearts earlier than. They knocked Brazil out of the Copa América tournaments of 2011 and 2015, they usually introduced coach Dorival Junior’s Brazil aspect with the prospect of a irritating night spent attempting to interrupt down their defence.
Worse nonetheless, with Brighton’s Julio Enciso flitting about, and Miguel Almirón seeking to have a proper at Danilo, Paraguay posed an attacking menace. They got here up with the primary two harmful pictures of the sport. After which on the half hour, when Brazil have been out of the blue awarded a penalty for hand ball, Lucas Paquetá put it broad.
At this level, some critical questions have been being posed and Brazil didn’t lookup for his or her stress take a look at. Was Paqueta being affected by the intense expenses of spot fixing which were levelled towards him? Would Bruno Guimarães ever dominate the Brazil midfield the way in which that he does for Newcastle? And have been Brazil making a mistake by enjoying with out a recognised centre ahead?
Inside minutes, all in the identical transfer, the crew got here up with some solutions. It was a second that may go down as a turning level for this Seleção. Vinícius Junior lower in from the left, exchanged passes with Rodrgyo; then Bruno Guimaraes performed a properly angled ball to Lucas Paqueta, whose candy lay off was into the trail of Vinícius, who had continued his infield run and had damaged into the area created by the very absence of a centre ahead. And Brazil’s 1-0 lead after 34 minutes grew to become 3-0 at halftime, with the sport successfully determined.
The primary objective was the important thing. As soon as Brazil have been in entrance, Paraguay must commit extra males ahead, opening up area for the Brazil counterattack. Brazil’s attacking items had clicked. And, in all probability most significantly, it was Vinícius Junior who led the pack.
It is a massive match within the lifetime of the Actual Madrid celebrity. Vinícius Junior went to the 2022 World Cup as a bolt-on. He was not initially a part of the crew constructed by coach Tite, and compelled his method in on the run in. However it was not his crew.
Occasions have modified. After a gradual begin to his worldwide profession, Vini is now seen as essentially the most potent attacking weapon, and that is his first match carrying this standing.
Within the again finish of final 12 months, harm restricted him to 3 of Brazil’s six World Cup qualifiers. They weren’t memorable both for him or for the crew — a draw at dwelling to Venezuela and defeats away to Uruguay and Colombia, with Vini substituted on all three events.
After which he was disappointing within the Copa debut towards Costa Rica — although many within the Brazilian media have been essential of the choice to withdraw him within the second half. Brazil may be very merciless to its idols, and a second sub-standard Copa show wouldn’t have been greeted with such tolerance.
As a substitute, on the time when the crew most wanted it — simply after that Paqueta missed penalty — Vinícius stepped up. This was his first two objective haul for his nation, and possibly the most effective match he has performed within the yellow shirt.
He dribbled Paraguay proper again Gustavo Velasquez to distraction, finishing extra dribbles within the first half alone than in any earlier sport he has performed for Brazil. And, as he confirmed with that important opening objective, there was an finish product as nicely.
Brazil, then, are on their method. However they’re nonetheless very a lot a piece in progress.
As but, this crew is just not remotely close to the extent of the aspect that coach Tite took to Qatar for the final World Cup. They don’t press from the entrance with something like the identical depth. And, regardless of typically sitting deep and enjoying two robust midfielders in Bruno Guimaraes and João Gomes, they’re nowhere close to as defensively stable.
This final level has been a degree of concern for Dorival Junior, and has been the main target of his coaching periods. Even so, Paraguay had loads of pictures on objective. Alisson was overwhelmed by a protracted vary particular from Omar Alderete — Brazil sitting deep however unable to cease the shot — and was additionally referred to as upon to make a variety of troublesome saves.
However with a spot within the final eight of the Copa all however assured, Brazil can construct for the remainder of the competitors below a lot much less strain on their backs. Dorival Junior will belief that within the fast improvement made doable by match play, he can mould a unit which, spearheaded by Vinícius Junior, can win Brazil’s first title of the last decade.