The best match of Paraguay Team

In the 99th edition of the CONMEBOL Copa América played in Chile, the Paraguayan and Brazilian national teams had to face each other once again in the quarterfinals, seeking for a place among the continent’s top four.

It was the same scenario repeated as in 2011, the Verdeamarela wanted to get revenge and not be left of the way like in that time, but they had to play against the fierce Guaraní team, which managed to stand out in the penalty spot.

The Paraguayan team, led by Argentinian’s Ramón Ángel Díaz, went out on the field with Justo Villar, Bruno Valdez, Paulo da Silva, Pablo Aguilar, Iván Piris, Víctor Cáceres, Eduardo Aranda, Édgar Benítez, Derlis González, Roque Santa Cruz (c) and Nelson Haedo Valdez. Meanwhile, the 11 players led by Dunga were: Jefferson, Daniel Alves, Thiago Silva, Miranda (c), Filipe Luís, David Luiz, Fernandinho, Elias, Willian, Robinho and Roberto Firmino.

The score was opened 14 minutes into the game, after a good triangulation of the ball. Dani Alves did a slide-rule pass towards the center of the area and found his teammate Robinho, who finished without difficulties. Goalkeeper, Justo Villar, wasn’t able to save it. Although there weren’t many surprises during the first half of the game, there was a very solid Brazilian defense and a Paraguayan team struggling to figure the game out.

In the second half, the Paraguayan team went out on the field to play in a completely different way. They realized that it was going to be difficult to weaken the Verdeamarela if they kept possession of the ball and played with short passes; that’s why the chose a high ball game. The first header that gave hope to the team was made by Haedo Valdez, who tipped the ball over the bar.

Minutes later, Paulo Da Silva managed to get away from Dani Alves and connected the pass through a header, which goalkeeper Jefferson reacted to amazingly. 70′ min into the game and after a weak center of Derlis Gonzalez, Thiago Silva (who had entered the field a few minutes before) jumped to head while extending his right hand. It was finally a ball to hand and the Uruguayan referee, Andrés Cunha, didn’t hesitate to call a penalty kick.

The man in charge was number ten, Guarani player named Derlis González, who crossed the ball and made it an impossible save for the goalkeeper, Jefferson. It was like this that the end of the game was reached with a 1-1 draw. And, as that night in 2011 at the Estadio Unico de La Plata, the match was decided by a penalty shootout.

 

For the Guarani team, the only one who failed was captain Roque Santa Cruz with a deflected shot. The goals were scored by Osvaldo Martínez, Víctor Cáceres, Raúl Bobadilla and Derlis González. For the Brazilian team, the ones who failed were Everton Ribeiro and Douglas Costa. And so it was, that for the second time in a row, the Paraguayan team eliminated the Brazilian team once again and reached the 2015 CONMEBOL Copa América semifinals.

 Recap

2015 Copa América Chile Quarter-finals

Tuesday June 27th, 2015

Paraguay 1 – 1 Brazil

Goals: Robinho (14′) and Gonzalez (ps) (71′)

Alcaldesa Ester Roa Rebolledo Municipal Stadium