Brazil recorded a big win against Paraguay in the Copa America last night with Lucas Paqueta taking centre stage.
West Ham United star Lucas Paqueta is playing a key role for Brazil in the Copa America out in the USA this summer.
The last year or so has not been an easy one whatsoever for Paqueta, after it emerged that he was being investigated for his role in potential betting breaches.
The 26-year-old Hammers star has now been charged by the FA, and could face a life-time ban for his actions, if found guilty.
Everything is uncertain right now when it comes to Paqueta’s future not only with West Ham, but in the game in general.
Julen Lopetegui can’t properly plan for the new season without knowing whether or not he will have the Brazilian amongst his ranks next season.
Lucas Paqueta takes centre stage during Brazil Copa America win
The Hammers hierarchy feared that Paqueta could be banned for life if found guilty of the charges levelled against him.
The former Lyon star must be in all sorts or turmoil right now mentally, but representing his country is clearly serving as a welcome respite for him.
It cannot be easy playing with everything he has going on in the background.
The Brazilian hit the headlines once again during his country’s big Copa America clash last night.
This time it was for the right reasons…on the most part.
Paqueta seemed to put all of his worries behind him when representing his country against Paraguay.
The Brazilian was involved in three key incidents during the Samba Boys’ convincing 4-1 win.
Lucas Paqueta shines and frustrates in equal measure
Firstly, with 31 minutes on the clock, the Hammers star stood up to take a penalty to put Brazil 1-0 up. However, he missed the spot-kick, much to the annoyance of his country’s fans.
If there’s one thing that Paqueta is though, it’s resilient, and he proved that by the bucket load last night.
After he 35 minutes, he set up Vinicius Junior to give Brazil the lead – a really nice assist from the Hammers man.
Then, in the 65th minute, he atoned for his earlier error from the spot, by scoring a penalty. Stepping up to take a spot-kick again, having missed earlier in the match takes real courage, and Paqueta definitely has that.
That really was an interesting hat-trick of incidents for the Hammers ace to be involved in.
Paqueta wasn’t finished there though. He picked up a yellow card after making a silly challenge in the 70th minute before finally being replaced in the 79th minute by Andreas Pereira. Wow, that was a seriously entertaining watch for the West Ham fans last night.
Lucas Paqueta seems to be firmly focused on winning the Copa America with Brazil right now, and that can only be a good thing for him.
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