Under 23 Pre-Olympic: Brazil loses to Paraguay, Endrick misses a penalty and complicates the standings

The Paraguayan national team delivered the final blow in the South American Under 23 Pre-Olympic and beat 1-0 Brazil at the top of the final home run, a critical step in his hopes of returning to some playing time Olympic Games for the first time since Athens 2004, when they lost in the final against Marcelo Bielsa’s Argentina and won the silver medal.

The Guaraní team never let themselves be intimidated by the power of Verdeamarela, they played with authority and, without shining, deservedly won.

Paraguay came out determined to line up in the rivals’ pitch, press high and won the battle in the middle of the pitch against a Brazilian team who also wanted that leading role but, for much of the match, failed to gain a foothold .

However, those of Ramón Menezes They managed to counteract this lack of functioning with the hierarchy of their attackers. First Endrickthe youngster from Palmeiras who will play for Real Madrid, gained position inside the area and in the 26th minute of the first half they awarded him a penalty which goalkeeper Ángel González saved.

Then, once again the 17-year-old jewel was in front of the goal but his shot went wide and, a few minutes before the end of the first half, he created an opportunity with pure speed that John Kennedy, Boca’s executioner, in the Copa Libertadores final, failed to achieve it.

And, as an old football axiom says, goals that are not scored in one goal are conceded in the other. Brazil was unable to exploit those opportunities and Paraguay made them pay dearly. In added time in the first 45 minutes, Fabrizio Peralta, The Cerro Porteño midfielder went for an aerial ball that fell into the area, headed it past goalkeeper Mycael and made it 1-0.

From there, La Albirroja alternated moments of good play in the complement with others in which he had to resist the attacks of his rival, who, due to the urgency of the result, attacked with many people.

Canarinha dominated in the final part of the match, but lacked clarity in the final meters to reach the equalizer. Thus Paraguay, who will be Argentina’s next rival (Thursday at 5pm), wins three golden points dreaming Paris 2024.