Vinicius Jr helps Brazil to a 4-1 win against Paraguay

Vinicius Jr. scored twice as Brazil kicked off its Copa America campaign with a 4-1 win against Paraguay.

After a disappointing draw against Costa Rica in their first match, Brazil had to beat Paraguay before their final group match against Colombia.

The nine-time winners had a chance to increase their lead in the 30th minute when they were awarded a penalty for handball after Lucas Paqueta’s shot from outside the penalty area. However, the West Ham midfielder shot his penalty wide.

Paqueta made amends four minutes later when he played in Vinicius Jr. to open the scoring after a brilliant team move.

Savinho doubled Brazil’s lead just before half-time with his first goal for Brazil, scoring from close range after a mistake in the Paraguayan defence.

Vinicius Jr, who has largely struggled to match his Real Madrid form with his country, grabbed his second four minutes into first-half stoppage time when he finished off a clearance to make it 3-0.

Paraguay, at the bottom of the group with zero points, reduced the deficit shortly after half-time thanks to a fantastic long-range strike from Getafe’s Omar Alderete.

But Brazil were awarded another controversial penalty for handball in the 65th minute, with Paqueta making amends for his earlier miss by scoring Brazil’s fourth.

Tempers flared in the closing stages when defender Andrés Cubas was sent off after firing a shot at Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz.

Elsewhere, Group D leaders Colombia continued their impressive start to the competition with a 3-0 win over Costa Rica.

Liverpool winger Luis Diaz opened the scoring after just half an hour when he converted from the penalty spot.

Colombia doubled their lead just before the hour mark when former Tottenham defender Davinson Sanchez headed in a corner.

Jhon Cordoba hit a third from close range.

Colombia can ensure they finish top of Group D by not losing to Brazil in their final group stage match on Tuesday evening (2am BST Wednesday).

Source: BBC