Brazil coach Dorival Júnior praised Vinícius Júnior's outstanding performance as the forward scored twice to lead Brazil to a decisive 4-1 victory over Paraguay in Las Vegas, marking a strong comeback in the Copa América. The Seleção had initially struggled in their tournament opener, a goalless draw against Costa Rica, where Vinícius was substituted after a quiet showing without a shot on target.
Against Paraguay, however, Vinícius was electric right from the start, opening the scoring with a precise strike assisted by Lucas Paquetá in the 35th minute. Shortly after Sávio doubled Brazil's lead, Vinícius added a third goal just before halftime, capitalizing on a defensive error from Paraguay's Omar Alderete.
Although Vinícius had opportunities for a hat-trick, he allowed Paquetá to convert a penalty in the second half, showcasing a selfless team-first approach. Coach Dorival emphasized Vinícius' near-perfect performance, highlighting his dynamic presence and contributions to the team's success.
"This was an almost perfect match from him," Dorival remarked through an interpreter. "Vinícius played at a high level today."
Vinícius Júnior's brace against Paraguay marked his first goals from open play for Brazil since the 2022 World Cup, underscoring his pivotal role in the team's resurgence. The victory places Brazil in a strong position in the tournament standings, with a decisive match against Colombia looming to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
"We are focused on improving and achieving our goal, which is to win the Copa América," Vinícius stated in a post-match interview, expressing his dedication to the team's success and his determination to contribute even more in upcoming matches.
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