Alejandro Romero's strike canceled out Saavendra's goal from the spot before Angel Romero scored a brace for Paraguay.
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Paraguay came from behind to beat Bolivia 3-1 in their opening Group B match of Copa America 2021. Bolivia took the lead early in the match courtesy of a penalty by Erwin Saavedra. Although Paraguay were dominating the game, they couldn’t find the back of the net. That was until a red card to Jaume Cuellar changed the complexion of the game . After the restart, Paraguay came out all guns blazing and got the equalizer through Alejandro Romero before a brace from Angel Romero sealed the three points for Berizzo’s side.
Bolivia got the first goal of the match in the 10th minute. Enrique Flores’ cross from the left flank went to Diego Bejarano at the far post, his goal-bound volley hit the outstretched arm of Arzamendia and the referee pointed to the spot after a long VAR consultation. Saavedra stepped up and converted the spot kick to make the score 1-0 in favor of Bolivia.
Paraguay desperately tried for the equalizer. Three minutes before the interval, Arzamendia’s low cross found its way to Kaku at the far post, but he missed a simple tap-in.
After the break, Paraguay dominated the 10-man Bolivian team and got the equalizer just after the hour mark. Alejandro Romero’s volley went past goalkeeper Ruben Cordano and into the net of the Bolivia team. Four minutes after the goal, Paraguay extended the lead. Cordano failed to clear a header from substitute Carlos Gonzalez at the far post. Angel Romero followed up and slotted the ball in from close range.
At the other end, Roberto Fernandez’ striker was kept out by Paraguay keeper Antony Silva. Ten minutes from time, Angel Romero got his second of the night. He coolly slotted ball in at the near post to seal the three points for Paraguay.
The win took Paraguay to top of Group B. Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw by Chile earlier in the day. Uruguay, the fourth-placed team in the group, will open their campaign against Argentina on Friday.
There are two groups with five teams each and at the end of the group stage the top four teams from each group will go to the quarter-finals.
