In the 5th minute, Paraguay’s captain sent a long pass to the edge of the penalty area. Fernández, lurking at the top of the penalty arc, struck a powerful shot directly, blasting the ball into the opponent’s goal. Paraguay scored early and took a 1-0 lead.
On July 31, in the final match of Group D of the Olympic men’s football tournament, Paraguay U23 faced off against Mali U23.
In the 21st minute, Mali’s midfield delivered a threatening through ball. Doumbia made a quick run onto the ball but was flagged offside by the referee.
In the 34th minute, Fernández broke through to the edge of the penalty area and chose to shoot powerfully amidst tight defense, but it went over the bar.
In the 38th minute, Paraguay sent in a cross from the right side into the box, but the ball was too high and was caught directly by the goalkeeper.
In the 40th minute, Paraguay’s right side delivered the ball into the penalty area, and D. Gómez volleyed the ball into the net, but the goal was ruled out because he was clearly in an offside position.
In the 42nd minute, Mali delivered the ball into the box, and Diomandé executed a dangerous bicycle kick, but the goalkeeper caught the ball directly.
At halftime, Paraguay U23 led Mali U23 temporarily with a score of 1-0.
Paraguay U23 starting lineup: 1-Gatito; 14-Barbuena; 4-Rivas; 3-De Jesús; 2-Núñez; 15-Enciso; 6-Gómez; 7-Fernández; 13-Cañete; 8-D. Gómez; 18-Pérez; Substitutes: 12-Frutos; 5-Flores; 16-Román; 20-Cardozo; 10-Villa; 17-Caballero; 9-Pazuchuk;
Mali U23 starting lineup: 1-L. Diarra; 5-Sissoko; 2-Doucouré; 4-Tounkara; 17-Diomandé; 8-Traoré; 6-Sako; 18-Diakité; 10-Kita; 9-Doumbia; 11-T. Diarra; Substitutes: 16-Koulibaly; 3-Diallo; 15-Sissokho; 13-B. Diarra; 12-Sissoko; 14-Diallo; 7-Samaké;
