Lucas Paqueta, West Ham’s midfield maestro, brought a spark to an otherwise frustrating night for Brazil as they were held to a scoreless draw by Peru in their Copa America opener.
Paqueta, a key figure for the Hammers over the past two seasons, lined up alongside attacking talents like Raphinha, Vinicius Jr., and Rodrygo. While they failed to find the net, Paqueta’s performance earned him the Man of the Match award according to FotMob.
The 26-year-old was unlucky not to be the match winner. One of his five shots on goal rattled the post, highlighting his attacking threat. Brazilian media outlets like O Globo and Diario de Nordeste praised his efforts and leadership throughout the match.
While celebrating Paqueta’s individual performance, some West Ham fans might hold a conflicting wish. An early Brazil exit from the Copa America could offer Paqueta valuable rest time before the new Premier League season begins.
Whilst ignoring the betting charges, Paqueta’s dazzling performance amidst a lacklustre team display is a positive takeaway for West Ham fans. They will be eagerly awaiting his return, with perhaps a potential early Brazil exit in the Copa America offering the silver lining of a well-rested Paqueta for the upcoming Premier League campaign.