Paraguay comes from behind to beat Bolivia 3-1 at Copa America

Bolivia was without five players who tested positive for COVID-19, including striker Marcelo Martins, who scored seven times in Bolivia’s last seven games.

Published : Jun 15, 2021 08:53 IST , GOIANIA, Brazil

Angel Romero of Paraguay celebrates after scoring the second goal against Bolivia.
Angel Romero of Paraguay celebrates after scoring the second goal against Bolivia.
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Angel Romero of Paraguay celebrates after scoring the second goal against Bolivia.

Paraguay went behind to an early penalty but scored three times in the second half for a 3-1 win over Bolivia, who was reduced to 10 men just before halftime in its Copa America opener on Monday.

Bolivia was without five players who tested positive for COVID-19, including striker Marcelo Martins, who scored seven times in Bolivia’s last seven games.

 

Bolivia had not beaten Paraguay in a Copa America clash since 1963 but its hopes were raised after only 10 minutes when it took the lead from the penalty spot.

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) awarded a penalty for handball and Erwin Saavedra converted low to the keeper’s left.

Paraguay was also awarded a penalty midway through the first half but VAR overturned the decision due to an offside, and while it dominated the team could not turn the pressure into goals.

 

Striker Kaku, who plays his league football in Saudi Arabia, was guilty of a desperate miss when he fired wide three minutes before halftime when it looked easier to score.

The game swung Paraguay’s way in added time at the end of the first half when 19-year-old Bolivian forward Jaume Cuellar was sent off for a second yellow card offence.

Paraguay dominated from the restart and made the breakthrough after 62 minutes when Kaku’s low volley skipped past a diving Ruben Cordano.

 

After failing to win a match at the last two Copa America tournaments, Paraguay made sure of the points thanks to Angel Romero, who prodded home after 65 minutes when Cordano failed to hold a goal-bound header and then finished smartly by slipping a shot between the keeper and his near post with 10 minutes left.

The result leaves Paraguay top of Group A, ahead of Argentina and Chile, who drew 1-1 earlier on Monday. Uruguay, who is fourth, opens its account against Argentina on Friday.

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