Similar to the result four years ago, Dunga’s side was flat, lacking invention and a conceivable route to goal.
Here, both sides operated in a variation of a 4-4-2: Nelson Haedo Valdez, floated behind Roque Santa Cruz, whereas the combination of Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Robinho constantly swapped positions throughout. Meanwhile the contrast in the wide areas was interesting – Derlis Gonzalez and Edgar Benitez are pacy, direct wingers, while Coutinho and Willian are creative players seeking space to receive the ball.
Essentially Brazil’s issues creating chances were on full display, yet despite positive high pressing from the Paraguayan’s in the early stages of the match, Dunga’s men took the lead. There were flashes of the crafty, slick intricate passes to evade pressure from the Paraguayan’s, and Robinho’s opener stemmed from a great passing move, which saw the striker tap in a well-weighed Dani Alves cross.
Considering Brazil’s lack of creativity in midfield, and Neymar’s absence, it was unsurprising to see Alves involved in the buildup. The right back served as a reliable creative outlet – creating Neymar’s equalizer against Peru, Brazil’s best chance against Colombia, whilst consistently delivering quality balls into the box.
However, Benitez’s adventurous runs down the left flank exploited throughout the downside to Alves’ game. As expected, Alves intent to join the attack left space available for Benitez to surge into, and he got behind the Brazilian on several occasions, thus resulting in an eventual booking.
Dunga’s pragmatism saw Brazil drop deeper into two banks of four following Robinho’s opener, limiting both sides from creating quality chances in open play. Paraguay was also deprived of creative players capable of unlocking organized back-lines, whereas Brazil’s threat in transition was scarce.
Diaz’s men grew into the match in the second half via set pieces, and while the wingers constantly carried the ball into dangerous areas, their final ball was underwhelming. Coincidentally, it was a hopeful Gonzalez clipped cross that resulted in Thiago Silva handling the ball in the box, thus rewarding Paraguay a penalty that was converted by the aforementioned winger.
“We are very happy with the game we played,” Díaz said. “It’s a great satisfaction.”
“At the end of the match we looked to push Brazil back with the changes that we made and we could have scored another goal. Both teams were trying to score; it was exciting and we were lucky enough to go through.”
Ultimately, Brazil’s caution was peculiar. It thwarted their attack in open play, and a simple direct move involving a Santa-Cruz flick-on to the rampaging Gonzalez – who once again got behind Alves – nearly won the game for the Paraguayans. Apart from ambitious shots from distance, Brazil’s activity in the final third was mundane.
“We tried to neutralize their main game-plan — the aerial ball. We had good moments through the match, with speed and switching between the sides,” Dunga said.
“Today we had an important match that needed speed and we lacked that in the end.”
A team once blessed with some of the world’s most finest attackers now possess fine individual defenders, a combative midfield, but remains heavily dependent on Neymar’s brilliance in attack – quite frankly, the 23-year-old is the difference between Brazil an elite footballing side.
This wasn’t an ideal Paraguayan performance, but it epitomizes the stylistic conflict Diaz encounters. Paraguay prefers to play an expansive, direct game that enables their attackers space to penetrate, but reactive pragmatism will likely be employed against an Argentine side filled with talented attacking players.
