Bruno Guimaraes and Miguel Almiron of Newcastle United have both had dismal starts to their Copa America careers.
Guimaraes was in the starting lineup for Brazil’s first group game in the United States, which was supposed to be a simple victory over Costa Rica.
Brazil, on the other hand, labored for much of the game, and with Guimaraes shooting barely over the crossbar in the dying minutes, the pre-tournament favourites were forced to settle for a disappointing goalless draw.
Paraguay, led by Almiron, fared even worse in the tournament’s first game, losing 2-1 to Colombia.
Almiron, who has been linked with a summer move away from Tyneside, played the first 59 minutes of the game, starting in the same right-attacking position he does for Newcastle.
However, Paraguay was already 2-0 behind when he was replaced midway through the second half, thanks to goals from Daniel Munoz and Jefferson Lerma, and while Almiron’s side clawed one back through Brighton’s Julio Enciso, they were unable to level the score.