Bruno Guimaraes and Miguel Almiron, two players from Newcastle United, were competing for their nations in the early hours of Tuesday morning at Copa America, where their last group-stage matches were held.
For his Miggy and his Paraguay team, things went from bad to worse as they ended up bottom of their group with zero points after losing to Costa Rica 2-1 after losing to Colombia and Brazil in their first two games.
Almiron had a rough evening as he was substituted at halftime despite having secured a booking before to the interval. The 30-year-old was substituted off before the hour mark for the second time in three group games due to his inability to provide much of an effect.
For the winger who is expected to depart this summer for a Saudi club, it has been a tournament to forget. Based on the social media responses following the game, it seems like Paraguayan supporters have turned against him. It has been more than two years since the former MLS player scored a goal in a meaningful match for his nation.
Then to Bruno, his Brazil side had to beat Colombia to top Group D and set up a favorable quarter-final against Panama; who qualified from Group C ahead of hosts USA . However, it ended 1-1 in California after Raphinha’s opener was cancelled out by Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz, meaning Bruno will now face an in-form Uruguay side coached by Marcelo Bielsa in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Guimaraes was booked alongside Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, who is now suspended for this weekend’s quarter-final clash as a result.
