Copa America: Despite criticism, Arena do Gremio ready to host Brazil-Paraguay quarter-final game
Football | June 27, 2019 12:14 ISTLionel Messi had earlier ripped the Arena do Gremio, saying that the field was in terrible condition.
Lionel Messi had earlier ripped the Arena do Gremio, saying that the field was in terrible condition.
In its 2019 Copa America opener, Ecuador was defeated 0-4 by Uruguay and then it was handed a 1-2 loss by Chile and a 1-1 draw against Japan rounded off the disappointing campaign.
Edinson Cavani's 82nd-minute goal moved Uruguay to seven points and above Chile, which remained with six while Ecuador and Japan were eliminated from the Copa America after a 1-1 draw.
The only goal of the match at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador was scored in the 31st minute by midfielder Gustavo Cuellar.
Goals from Luis Suarez and Jose Gimenez ensured that Japan don't come out with a surprise victory over Copa America favourites Uruguay.
Argentina, in their opening match of Copa America, faced an embarrassing 0-2 defeat at the hands of Colombia followed by a 1-1 draw against Paraguay on Thursday.
Duvan Zapata scored from a James Rodriguez to give Colombia a 1-0 win against a courageous Qatar team on Sunday at the Copa America.
Brazil failed to score a goal against Venezuela while Paolo Guerrero starred for Peru as they beat Bolivia 3-1 in the Copa America on Tuesday.
The victory moved Chile to the top of Group C along with Uruguay, which opened with a 4-0 win over Ecuador on Sunday.
Lionel Messi couldn't do enough to spark Argentina, which lost its first Copa America match since the 2007 final against Brazil.
Philippe Coutinho scored a brace while Everton Soares scored the other as Brazil beat Bolivia 3-0 in the Copa America opener.
Brazil is all set to play in Copa America, beginning June 14 but the team would be without Neymar as he has been ruled out of the tournament due to an ankle injury.
The left-back's contract with Atletico expires on June 30 and in recent weeks he has been linked with Barcelona and Flamengo, among other clubs.
Brazil's soccer confederation said in a statement early on Thursday that Neymar had a ligament rupture in his ankle and will not recover in time to play the South American tournament.
Argentina will begin their Copa America campaign against Colombia on June 15 before facing Paraguay and Qatar in Group B.
Lionel Messi was a part of the Argentina teams that finished runners-up at the 2014 World Cup, the 2015 Copa America and the 2016 Copa America.
It was another setback for Brazil's biggest star, who has only played four matches with Paris Saint-Germain since he returned from a broken metatarsal in his right foot on April 27.
Neymar was Brazil's captain since the elimination in the World Cup quarterfinals against Belgium in 2018.
There was no place for Manchester City goalkeeper and former Chile captain Claudio Bravo, who was left out despite having returned to training following a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Mauro Icardi has been a regular in Lionel Scaloni's squads but he recently lost his starting position at Inter because of a contract dispute and the Argentina coach prefers to pick players that get more playing time for their teams.
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