Dorival Junior’s Brazil side succumbed to a fourth defeat in five world cup qualifying matches against Paraguay on Tuesday.
A stunning first half effort off Diego Gomez was all the La Albirroja needed to record their second win in the world cup qualifying series, having lost three and drawn three in other seven matches.
This is the latest disappointing outing from the Selecao after a poor showing at the Copa America in July, which saw them exit in the quarter-finals, and a dismal start to a World Cup qualifying campaign.
All the hopes of the Brazilians to find some great form this window went up in flames once again as their talisman, Vinicius Jr., alongside other attackers, was anonymous in the 1-0 loss to Paraguay.
Despite finding the back of the net ten times across three previous meetings with Paraguay, Brazil dominated proceedings by recording over two-thirds of possession in the first half.
However, it was Inter Miami’s young midfielder who stunned the five times world cup winners on the 20th minute mark after he beautifully evaded his man to rifle an unstoppable shot which went beyond the safe hands of Liverpool goalkeeper, Alisson into the back of the net.
Brazil looked fresher and better in the second forty-five after inviting the fresh legs of Joao Pedro for Endrick and Luiz Henrique for Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes.
The immediate result saw Vinicius become a constant threat on the left while his other cohorts poured forward with the hope of an equalizer.
The Real Madrid winger came close twice, missing a good opportunity off a corner before forcing an acrobatic save out of Roberto Fernandez. Still, a goal never came.
Despite Brazil’s huffing and puffing at Fernández’s door seeking a late equalizer, none came their way, while Paraguay ran off with the much-needed three points to keep their hopes of a World Cup appearance alive for the first time since 2010.
