LUCAS PAQUETA blazed a penalty wide during Brazil’s Copa America clash with Paraguay last night.
The West Ham ace had the chance to bag the game’s first goal in the 31st minute after Brazil were awarded a spot kick after a handball in the box by Andres Cubas.
Paqueta picked up the ball to put the pressure of giving his side the lead in his own hands.
But after a stuttering run up, the 26-year-old dragged his shot wide of the post and immediately put his head in his hands.
Had he scored it would have been Brazil’s first goal at Copa America after they played out a disappointing 0-0 draw in their opener against Costa Rica.
Fans couldn’t believe he had lost his cool and missed the target from just 12-yards out.
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On social media one fan wrote: “You’ve got Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo on the field and they let this guy take the penalty. Come on man…”
While another added: “You get what you deserve when you engage in a stuttered run up!”
And a third joked: “West Ham players taking penalties for Brazil… yeah the game is definitely gone”.
Despite missing the target and dipping his head in disappointment, Paqueta was quick to make up for his mistake.
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The former Lyon star slipped a clever ball through the lines to Vinicius Jr just four minutes later to set up the opener.
And once Vinicius had got the ball rolling, Brazil found their rhythm and took full advantage of a shaking Paraguay outfit.
Savinho doubled Brazil’s lead just eight minuted later, before Vinicius bagged his second of the game to make it 3-0 before half time.
There was a small scare in the early stages of the second half when a stunning long range effort from Getafe’s Omar Alderete found the back of the net to claw one back for Costa Rica.
But yet another handball in the 65th minute gave Paqueta a chance at redemption with a second spot kick.
This time the Hammers’ man hammered home and into the bottom corner.
His stuttering run-up helped on the second occasion as Paraguay goalkeeper Rodrigo Morinigo was sent the wrong way.
A late red card for Paraguay defender Andres Cubas, for kicking out at Douglas Luiz, meant any chance of comeback was killed and Brazil left the Allegiant Stadium as 4-1 victors.
Paqueta is representing Brazil in the US this summer despite being charged with spot-fixing offences by the FA.
The attacking midfielder has denied the charges and vowed to clear his name – but could face a ten-year ban if found guilty.
But the Brazilian FA confirmed that he would play for Dorival Junior’s side this summer in spite of the controversy, explaining that he is yet to be banned or found guilty of the charges.
A statement released last month read: “Given the facts reported by the English Federation, the CBF, supported by the joint opinion from the Legal and Governance and Compliance Directorates and the Integrity Unit, has decided to maintain the player’s call-up.
“Based on the information provided by the FA, it is categorically concluded that the player Lucas Paqueta, despite the behaviour for which he was accused authorising preventive removal (from the squad).
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“He has not been penalised to date by the prosecuting body authorised to sanction him.
“It is right to say that the player is free to perform his professional job until the present moment, the source of his livelihood and that of his family, in a full and unrestricted manner, whether for his club or his country’s national team.”.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
