Paraguay's Bruno Valdez (L) competes with Almoez Abdulla of Qatar during the Group B match between Qatar and Paraguay at the Copa America 2019, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 16, 2019. The match ended with 2-2. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Qatar recovered from a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw with Paraguay in an entertaining Copa America Group B match here on Sunday.

Oscar Cardozo opened the scoring from the penalty spot at the Maracana after Pedro Miguel used his arm to block a Bruno Valdez header.

Cardozo had another goal annulled by the video assistant referee, with replays showing that Derlis Gonzalez was offside in the build up.

Gonzalez doubled Paraguay's lead three minutes later by thumping a 25-yard drive past Saad Al Sheeb.

But Qatar began to control possession and looked increasingly threatening in the final third as Paraguay were content to sit back and defend.

The Asian Cup champions got their reward just after the hour mark when Almoez Ali struck from the edge of the penalty area after being set up by Tarek Salman.

Boualem Khoukhi then equalized by latching onto Akram Afif's slick through-ball and prodding an effort that looped in off goalkeeper Roberto Fernandez's outstretched left leg.