Paraguay edge past fighting Mali
MUMBAI: Fans at the DY Patil Stadium were treated to highest quality of attacking football as Paraguay trounced Mali 3-2 in a Group B match on Friday.
Antonio Galeano and Leonardo Sanchez put the South Americans in the commanding position with two goals in 17 minutes but Mali found parity before half time — courtesy of Haji Drame and Lassana Ndiaye. Alan Rodriguez won it for the Paraguayans from the penalty spot in second half.
Statistics will stand testament to the high-octane contest, with Paraguay registering eleven shots on Youssouf Koita’s goal and Mali responding with eight of their own.
Paraguay started on the front foot with a brilliant individual effort from Galeano in the 12th minute. The No 7 received the ball off a free kick that was punched out by Koita. Galeano controlled on his chest before dispatching a thunderous half volley.
Paraguay’s ultra aggressive approach reaped added rewards just five minutes later. Salam Giddou lost the ball to Leonardo Sanchez who turned two players to get into the box before slotting it past Koita at the near post.
The African champions responded almost immediately. Giddou combined beautifully with Drame, skipping past three players to lay it off. Drame firmly fired past Diego Huesca.
Mali could have equalised in the 29th minute with Lassana Ndiaye feinting past two defenders to open up space in the box. To his disappointment the shot bounced back off the crossbar.
Ndiaye though, made amends, netting Mali’s second, putting them on level pegging. Malian midfielder Djemoussa Traore sped past Paraguay’s midfield on the left flank to set up Ndiaye who put it past a rushing Huesca in the 34th minute.
Similar to the first 45 minutes, the Paraguayans asserted themselves at the start of the second half. But it was Mali who came up with the first clear-cut chance. Ndiaye was found himself in a one-on-one with Huesca who parried away from the edge of the box.
A wasteful Mali were punished in the 55th minute when Abdoulaye Diaby was penalised for a hand ball inside the box. Rodriguez calmly stepped up with the crowd rearing him on and fired into right of the goal above Koita, scoring Paraguay’s winner.