Albion target Diego Gomez spoke for his Olympic national team after Paraguay under-23s suffered heartbreak in France.

Gomez scored and impressed in a 1-1 draw with Egypt in the quarter-finals.

He also converted from the spot in a shoot-out which Paraguay lost.

By that time, Albion forward Julio Enciso was on the bench in tears after being forced out of the tie with what looked a muscular issue.

Head coach Carlos Jara Saguier later said the problem was not serious.

Enciso is expected to be back for the start of the Prem season. 

Gomez, whose goal was set up by Enciso, is moving closer to what would be an £11 million move to the Seagulls from Inter Miami.

It is understood the transfer might not be confirmed until the January window.

Gomez was put forward for post-match interview and spoke well amid the emotions.

He said: “I am very happy with my team-mates, with all the coaches, Carlos (Jara Saguier), the staff, with all the people of Paraguay who supported us from the start.

“That’s football and we have to get our heads up again.

“We gave immense happiness to the country and I am very proud of my team-mates.”

Gomez, who has seven senior caps, believes he and Enciso can be part of a bright new era for Paraguay, who have ground to make up in the race to qualify for the next World Cup.

He said: “We are bringing back a joy in representing our country and we are now the present.

“We have to think now about getting into the senior squad and that is the dream of everyone.

“I think if they go back to their clubs and give their best, they will be in the national team.”

Both Enciso and Gomez had already made light of delays the squad suffered in transferring to Marseille from Paris, where they played their previous match.

Speaking after the defeat, Gomez said: “I don’t think it played any part.

“We played an incredible match.

“They equalised in the final moments and it was an error but these are things of football.”