In a thrilling start to their Copa América Group D campaign, Colombia secured a 2-1 victory over Paraguay with James Rodríguez playing a crucial role in both goals. The 2001 champions extended their unbeaten run to an impressive 24 matches, showcasing their dominance in the tournament.
The first half of the match saw Daniel Muñoz and Jefferson Lerma finding the back of the net for Colombia, giving them a comfortable lead. Muñoz opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a well-placed header off a brilliant cross from Rodríguez. Ten minutes later, Rodríguez delivered another key assist, setting up Lerma for a goal with a perfectly executed free-kick.
Paraguay fought back in the second half, with Julio Enciso scoring a goal in the 69th minute to narrow the gap. Despite their efforts, Paraguay struggled to break through Colombia’s defense and create clear scoring opportunities. The match took a controversial turn in the 84th minute when Colombia was denied a penalty after a VAR review overturned the initial decision.
Following the victory, Rodríguez expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, highlighting the importance of starting strong in a tough matchup against Paraguay. Colombia’s winger, Luis Díaz, emphasized the team’s confidence and belief in their ability to have a successful tournament, praising the two goals that gave them a crucial lead.
Colombia’s solid defensive display in the closing minutes of the match ensured that Paraguay was unable to find an equalizer, securing the win for the 2001 champions. The team’s resilience and composure under pressure were evident as they held off Paraguay’s late attempts to salvage a draw.
Both Colombia and Paraguay will be looking to build on their performances as they prepare for their upcoming matches. Colombia is set to face Costa Rica in Glendale, Arizona, while Paraguay will take on Brazil in Las Vegas. With the tournament in full swing, the stage is set for more exciting matchups and thrilling encounters in Copa América Group D.
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