Division of honors between Colombia and Paraguay on the first date of the South American sub-20

The Colombian team began its journey in the South American U-20 tournament this Thursday, which it will play at home with a 1-1 draw against Paraguay.

Very early the ball hit the right hand of the Colombian captain Gustavo Puerta while he was covering his face and the referee whistled a penalty.

Allan Wlk scored the opener through a superb finish to the keeper’s left side in the 7th minute.

The goal of the striker of Czech descent, scorer of the South American Games that Paraguay won in 2022, discouraged the attendees at the Pascual Guerrero Stadium in Cali (southwest).

Colombia tried to respond immediately. Their attackers Alexis Castillo, Johan Torres, Daniel Luna and Juan David Fuentes wove passes in the first half, but without creating dangerous chances.

The Colombian artillery missed Jhon Jáder Durán, who had to leave the call for at least the first phase of the tournament to appear with his new team, Aston Villa of England.

With more speed and precision, Paraguay withdrew and attacked, finding the Colombian defense in a bad spot.

The Paraguayan star, Matías Segovia, Wlk and Diego González were on the verge of expanding the score against a team that surpassed them in possession of the ball.

At halftime, Colombian coach Héctor Cárdenas staged the blow that he would inflict on his colleague Aldo Bobadilla starting the second half.

In his first intervention on the field, the recently admitted Miguel Monsalve gave a pass into space that ended in a goal by Luna (47).

The genius of the Independiente Medellín midfielder was the only formula to hurt the Guaraní rearguard.

After a hectic first half, the pace slowed down in the final part of the game, although Colombian goalkeeper Luis Marquines denied a Paraguayan goal in added time.

Colombia and Paraguay are second in Group A with 1 point. Earlier, Brazil thrashed Peru 3-0, while Argentina had a free date. (D)