Colombia 1-0 Paraguay
That’s three out of three for Colombia at Copa America 2019.
Gustavo Cuellar scored the only goal to ensure Carlos Queiroz’s men – already through to the quarter-finals – top Group B with a 100 per cent record.
Quite a time to score on your Copa America debut for the Flamenco player!
The SBOBET Copa America 2019 betting odds on Los Cafeteros continue to be attractive.
However, against a side which made multiple changes, this was a missed opportunity for Paraguay and one – coupled with Argentina’s 2-0 win over Qatar – which will likely cost them a place in the last eight.
Highlights of the game
Already guaranteed of winning the group, Queiroz made 10 changes to his Colombia line-up, with only Juventus midfielder Juan Cuadrado retaining his place.
Of the Copa America 2019 highlights in the Fonte Nova Arena, the one that mattered most arrived on the half-hour.
Santiago Arias delivered the assist and there was Cuellar to fire home a right-footed shot from a difficult angle into the bottom right-hand corner.
Paraguay knew while a defeat may well cost them the chance of qualification, a victory would guarantee their place in the knockout stage and so, unsurprisingly, they started with intent.
First, Santiago Arzamendia shot wide, then Derlis Gonzalez tested Colombia goalkeeper Alvaro Montero, in for the absent David Ospina, who was granted leave for personal reasons.
Newcastle United man Miguel Almiron also fired an effort towards goal as Paraguay continued their bright spot before Radamel Falcao produced Colombia’s first effort on target.
It remained an even contest, even after Cuellar broke the deadlock to leave Paraguay deflated, but despite shots at both ends, goalkeepers were rarely tested.
Colombia thought they had sealed the points just after the midway point of the second period. Lively substitute James Rodriguez flicked a clever pass with the outside out of his boot to Luis Diaz, who controlled and lashed a shot past Gatito Fernandez from 10 yards.
After a long wait, a VAR review showed the ball had brushed Diaz’s right arm and the goal was ruled out.
The introduction of Rodriguez had certainly pepped up a much-changed Colombia, and he tested Fernandez moments after Oscar Cardozo threatened a Paraguay equaliser.
That hope finally ended deep in stoppage time when Gustavo Gomez headed wide from an Oscar Romero cross and Cardozo, almost immediately, then did the same.
How Paraguay must rue being pegged back in their opening game last weekend as they let slip a two goal lead against Asian champions Qatar.
They now face a nervous wait to see if they can progress. Hopes and thread are the two watchwords.
Key statistics
Cuellar scored his first goal for Colombia in his first Copa America game, with his first shot attempted and his first touch in the opposition box in the tournament.
Colombia have won each of their three group stage games in a Copa America for the first time since 2001 – the year they went onto win the trophy.
Rodriguez, who came on as a substitute just before the hour mark in this clash, has 26 assists for the national team and has had a hand in 48 goals in 75 caps (scored 22).
Colombia have won six of their last seven games against Paraguay in all competitions.
Colombia and Paraguay have met on 11 occasions in the history of the Copa America – Los Cafeteros have now won five and La Albirroja five (drawn one).
Paraguay’s Almirón has two assists in the 2019 Copa America; the previous Paraguayan to assist more than one goal in a single Copa America tournament was Edgar Barreto (three, in 2007).
Colombia have kept a clean sheet in only two of their nine neutral venue games against Paraguay (won three, drawn two lost five).
What’s next?
Colombia will know soon who they will take on in their quarter-final next weekend, but it is likely to be a tough one with either holders Chile or Uruguay awaiting.
For Paraguay, who battled so gamely in a tough group, it will be tough for them to qualify on two points as one of the best third-place finishers.
There remains some permutations to clear up over the next 24 hours.
Only a draw between Japan and Ecuador in Group C would see Paraguay progress.
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