Olympic Qualifiers: Paraguay Stun Brazil, Venezuela Hold Argentina

Olympic champions Brazil suffered a setback in their bid to secure a place at this year’s Paris Olympic Games after their under-23 team slumped to a shock 1-0 defeat by Paraguay on Monday in the final four South American qualifying tournament, Reuters reported. Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Venezuela are competing in a round robin final qualifying stage for the 2024 Games, with only the top two securing berths in Paris. In a later qualifying game, a last-gasp penalty from substitute Kevin Kelsy snatched a 2-2 draw for Venezuela against Argentina. Javier Mascherano’s side finished the game with nine men after Valentin Barco and Gonzalo Lujan were sent off, while Venezuela’s Bryant Ortega also received a red card.

Photo Webdesk

Updated on: 6 February 2024 1:08 pm

Paris Olympics 2024 Qualifiers: Brazil vs Paraguay | Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos

Paraguay's players celebrate their 1-0 victory over Brazil at the end of South America's under-23 pre-Olympic tournament soccer match at Brigido Iriarte stadium in Caracas, Venezuela.

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Paris Olympics 2024 Qualifiers: Brazil vs Paraguay | Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos

Brazil's Gabriel Pec jumps over Paraguay's Gilberto Flores during South America's under-23 pre-Olympic tournament soccer match at Brigido Iriarte stadium in Caracas, Venezuela.

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Paris Olympics 2024 Qualifiers: Brazil vs Paraguay | Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos

Brazil's John Kennedy, right, controls the ball under pressure from Paraguay's Wilder Viera during a South America under-23 pre-Olympic tournament soccer match at Brigido Iriarte stadium in Caracas, Venezuela.

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Paris Olympics 2024 Qualifiers: Brazil vs Paraguay | Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos

Paraguay's Fabrizio Peralta, center, celebrates his opening goal against Brazil during South America's under-23 pre-Olympic tournament soccer match at Brigido Iriarte stadium in Caracas, Venezuela.

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Paris Olympics 2024 Qualifiers: Brazil vs Paraguay | Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos

Brazil's Endrick, bellow, and Paraguay's Gilberto Flores fight for the ball during South America's under-23 pre-Olympic tournament soccer match at Brigido Iriarte stadium in Caracas, Venezuela.

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Paris Olympics 2024 Qualifiers: Venezuela vs Argentina | Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos

Argentina's Thiago Almada (10) celebrates with teammates after he scored a goal against Venezuela during South America's under-23 pre-Olympic tournament soccer match at Brigido Iriarte stadium in Caracas, Venezuela.

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Paris Olympics 2024 Qualifiers: Venezuela vs Argentina | Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos

Venezuela's Kevin Kelsy, center right, celebrates with teammates after he scored a goal against Argentina during South America's under-23 pre-Olympic tournament soccer match at Brigido Iriarte stadium in Caracas, Venezuela.

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Paris Olympics 2024 Qualifiers: Venezuela vs Argentina | Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos

Argentina's Thiago Almada (10) celebrates after he scored his team's second goal against Venezuela during South America's under-23 pre-Olympic tournament soccer match at Brigido Iriarte Stadium in Caracas, Venezuela.

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Paris Olympics 2024 Qualifiers: Venezuela vs Argentina | Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos

Venezuela's Jovanny Bolívar, center, falls challenged by Argentina's Juan Nardoni, right, and Juan Sforza during South America's under-23 pre-Olympic tournament soccer match at Brigido Iriarte stadium in Caracas, Venezuela.

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Paris Olympics 2024 Qualifiers: Venezuela vs Argentina | Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos

Venezuela's David Martínez, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal against Argentina during South America's under-23 pre-Olympic tournament soccer match at Brigido Iriarte stadium in Caracas, Venezuela.