ss

Brazil overcome Paraguay on penalties and go to the Copa America last four

It was always going to be tough, but Brazil are going through to the 2019 Copa America semifinals thanks to a 4-3 win on penalties against Paraguay after a 0-0 draw in normal time. 

The visitors went down to 10 men early in the second half and survived an onslaught from the Seleção to take it to spot kicks, and Brazil were finally able to beat Paraguay on penalties and will play in the Last Four.

Brazil had all of the possession and needed to be patient against a Paraguay team parking the bus with eight players close to their own box.

At halftime Paraguay were halfway through completing their mission of taking the game to penalties, while Brazil needed to stay patient but play better football around the box to find the winning goal.

Brazil started the final period by pressing higher up the pitch and not allowing Paraguay to create counter attacks, and the Seleção really started to dominate and look dangerous. Then Firmino won a penalty, but VAR showed that the foul occurred outside the box and the penalty was denied.

However, Balbuena was found to have denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and was shown a straight red card, which set the table for 30 minutes of all-out Brazilian pressure and Paraguay in pure survival mode.

Despite all the pressure and attacking intent the hosts could not break the bus, and for the third straight time a Brazil-Paraguay quarterfinal in the Copa América was going to penalty kicks.

Brazil made four and missed one of their penalties, Paraguay missed two, and with the clinching penalty scored by Gabriel Jesus the Seleção is moving on. Up next, Venezuela or Argentina. 

 

Leave a Reply