Paraguay beat Chile to qualify for the quartfinal of the 2021 Copa America

Paraguay have confirmed their place in the quarterfinal of the CONMEBOL Copa América with a 2-0 win against Chile in their fourth game in Group A with goals by Braian Samudio and Miguel Almirón from the penalty spot.

Given what was on the line, it was perhaps unsurpisingly that the game began cautiously with both teams looking to settle into a rhythm without imposing themselves on their opponent.

Paraguay were probably happier with their start with Miguel Almirón key in working openings and key moments in the absence of Ángel Romero and Alejandro Romero Gamarra.

Despite some positive moments, both sides struggled to create clear chances in the first half. A Mathís Villasanti effort was well saved by Claudio Bravo on 15 minutes but there was very little else of note.

When it looked inevitable we would be scoreless at the break, Paraguay found the opening goal. A Miguel Almirón was headed into the net at the far post by Braian Samudio who jumped higher than Francisco Sierralta and Eugenio Mena to open the scoring for Eduardo Berizzo’s side.

https://twitter.com/CopaAmerica/status/1408223444219596800

To complicate things further for Chile early in the second half the referee awarded a penalty for a Gary Medel foul on Carlos González. Almirón, key man for the Albirroja on the night, converted the penalty with great composure to make it 2-0.

https://twitter.com/CopaAmerica/status/1408234406284832771

Despite a good amount of the game remaining, in many ways, this goal put an end to the context. Paraguay were happy with their evening’s work and Chile rarely threatened in the second half.

With that, Berrizo side books their spot in the next round and the result against Uruguay will decide their final position in Group A. La Roja have a rest day in the final round of games and, while their progression is confirmed, they will have to wait to who they face.

NUMBERS FROM THE GAME

• Paraguay won 2 games at the CONMEBOL Copa América for the first time since 2007 (2 wins, 2 defeats). Albirroja had just one win between 2011 and 2019 in the competition (12 draws, 6 loss).
• Paraguay have won all three games against Chile at the CONMEBOL Copa América held in Brazil: 3-0 in 1922, 4-2 in 1949 and 2-0 tonight.
• Paraguay have won their last 3 games against Chile (twice in World Cup Qualifying and the game today in the Copa America). This is their best run of results against La Roja since the period between 1993 and 1997 (4 wins).
• Braian Samudio scored his first goal with the Paraguay national team. He is the twelth player to score under manager Eduardo Berizzo.
• Chile only had one shot on goal against Paraguay. This is the lowest number of shots against the Albirroja in any game at the CONMEBOL Copa América since at least 2011 (equal with the 1-0 win against Jamaica in 2015).
• Paraguay crossed the ball 4 times against Chile in tonight’s win. This is the lowest number of crosses by the side in any CONMEBOL Copa América game since at least 2011.DATA: OPTA