Paraguay look for their quarterfinal spot against Chile

Paraguay are looking to secure qualification to the quarterfinals with of the CONMEBOL Copa América 2021 with a win against Chile.

Argentina (7 points) and Chile (5 points) have already confirmed their progression to the next round while Paraguay (3), Uruguay (1) and Bolivia (0) will battle it out for the final 2 place with 2 games remaining.

Paraguay fell behind against Argentina and piled on the pressure but failed to find the equalizer in the second half. Some encouraging signs but a cutting edge will be needed to challenge in this year’s tournament.

Meanwhile Chile have sealed progression with a hard-fought draw against Uruguay. The physical game has taken it’s toll on la roja and manager Martín Lasarte confirmed both defender Guillermo Maripán and midfielder Erick Pulgar would miss today’s game through injury.

Chile have already qualified but their thoughts will now turn to prospective opponents from Group B. A fourth place finish is still a possibility which would mean a tough quartfinal game against group winners Brazil.

-Details-

Stadium: Mané Garrincha de Brasilia

Time: 21:00 local time (00:00 GMT)

Referee: Wilmar Roldán (COL)

– History –

• Chile and Paraguay have only drawn one of their last 13 meetings  (7 Chilean wins, 5 for Paraguay). The draw came in a friendly in June 2011 (0-0).
• Paraguay has gone four games without losing to Chile on neutral ground (2 wins, 2 draws). Albirroja have in fact won 11 of all 16 games played on nuetral ground (2 draws, 3 losses).
• Martín Lasarte remains unbeaten as manager of Chile. His side has 3 wins and 3 draws in World Cup qualifiers and the CONMEBOL Copa América. His team has never conceded more than one goal.
• As well as being the oldest player at the CONMEBOL Copa América, 38 year old Claudio Bravo is the goalkeeper with the second most saves of any goalkeeper who has played 2 or more games. He has made 11 saves in 3 games (3.7 on average), one stop less than Fariñez (Venezuela) who made 12 in 2 games (6 on average).
• Paraguay is the team with the second highest average possession at the  CONMEBOL Copa América (66.8%) and the most chances created (16.5). Alejandro Romero Gamarra has only played two games but has created the most chances in the competition (12).