The Brazilian teamon Tuesday it ratified its status as a favorite in the Women’s America Cup and eliminated Paraguay from the semifinals by beating it 2-0, a result that will see the Swedish side led by Pia Sundhage compete for the title this Saturday in Colombia.
The victory, achieved at the Alfonso López stadium in the city of Bucaramanga in Colombia, also qualified Verdeamarela for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Paraguay, for its part, will play on Friday in the game for third place, direct qualification for the World Cup against Argentina. If he loses that match, he will play the play-off in February 2023 in New Zealand.
The goals for Sundhage’s team were scored by midfielder Ary Borges and Bia Zaneratto in the first half where the Paraguayans were outplayed in defense by the opponents’ quick attack.
La Albirroja tried to spring a surprise in the opening minutes with a direct free kick by Fany Gauto that almost went through the Brazilian goal had it not been for Lorena who headed her in for a corner.
However, Canarinha soon took control of the match and began to cause damage with their pace and had the first clear chance on a counterattack where striker Adriana took a powerful shot that was saved by Alicia Bobadilla.
In this context, the first goal came when Zaneratto passed the ball to Borges, who came from behind and took a powerful shot that the Paraguayan goalkeeper could not stop.
La Albirroja had a lot of difficulty breaking through the well-organized defense of the rival. Neither Jessica Martínez nor Fauto was accurate, so the ball almost didn’t get around Lorena’s goal.
Meanwhile, Brazil began to apply high pressure that led to a 2-0 draw, when the team recovered the ball in the Paraguayan ground and winger Antonia assisted Zaneratto, who celebrated his third goal of the championship in age 27.
Brazil’s dominance was driven by excellent work in midfield by Ary Borges and Angelina, who prevented the Paraguayans from getting dangerously close to their goal.
The only way in which Marcello Frigério’s team reached Lorena’s goal at the end of the first half was with a shot from a free kick by Jessica Martínez in the 37th minute that the Brazilian goalkeeper saved without difficulty.
In the second half, Paraguay tried to get close to the rival’s goal, driven by Fabiola Sandoval, but also failed to go deep, while Brazil slowed down but continued to do damage, especially on the wings with Kerolin and Adriana.
When the team stepped on the accelerator, they were about to increase the advantage with chances from Duda Sampaio and Zaneratto, which worried goalkeeper Bobadilla. In the end, with a slow rhythm and total control, the Brazilians closed out the game and will be looking for their eighth Copa América title on Saturday at the Alfonso López stadium.
DATA SHEET
2 – Brazil: Lorraine; Antonia, Tainara, Rafaelle (d.71, Kathellen), Tamires; Ary Borges (m.57, Duda Sampaio), Angelina, Kerolin (m.80, Gabi Portilho), Adriana; Bia Zaneratto and Debinha (m.71 Geyse)
Coach: Pia Sundhage
0 – Paraguay: Alicia Bobadila, Ramona Martínez, María Martínez, Hilda Riveros (m.85, Lorena Alonso), Daysy Bareiro (m.90, Graciela Martínez); Fanny Godoy (m.85, Rosa Miño), Dulce Quintana, Jessica Martínez, Fabiola Sandoval; Rebeca Fernández (m.72, Fatima Acosta) and Fanny Gauto
Instructor: Marcello Frigerio
The objectives: 1-0, Ary Borges (m. 15); 2-0, Bia Zaneratto (d. 27)
Referee: The Uruguayan Anahí Fernández. He advised Ary Borges and María Martínez
Incidents: semifinal match of the Women’s Copa América played at the Alfonso López stadium in the Colombian city of Bucaramanga
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
