Copa America 2011 Semi-Final: Paraguay Beats Venezuela; Sets Up Final Clash Against Uruguay

Jubilation Time Though Still a Match Away

Paraguay set up a grand finale clash with Uruguay in the Copa America 2011, after overcoming Venezuela in their semi final match through a penalty shoot-out. Locked at 0-0 even after 120 minutes of play, a penalty shoot-out was inevitable which saw Paraguay converting all their spot kicks and overcoming the first time semi-finalist Venezuela 5-3.

Emotions were high at Malvinas Stadium as both the teams’ battle out to reach the final after a thrilling 3-3 draw a week earlier in their group stage. Both the sides started brightly though Paraguay came close to scoring in the 7^th minute when an unmark Darío Veron’s header was saved brilliantly by Renny Vega.

The two-time Copa winners continued to look lively as they opened up their opponents with some classy football, the impressive Edgar Barreto pulling the strings in the middle. And casual defending also allowed Nelson Haedo Valdez a sight on goal but he thrashed his effort well wide before he had another shot which was this time on target but saved brilliantly by the goalkeeper again.

Venezuela finally began to settle as the game reached the half-hour mark and had the ball in the net only to see it chalked off when Oswaldo Vizcaronndo headed past two team-mates who had drifted offside, although there was an argument they were not active in the play.

Moments later, Alejandro Moreno rattled the Paraguayan woodwork for the first time before Salomon Rondon‘s follow-up was well saved by Villar as Cesar Farias’ men grew in confidence before the break.

Paraguay continued to dominate possession after the break and Nelson Valdez came close to give Paraguay the lead when he broke into the Penalty area only to see Vega’s another stop. That moment proved to be the highlight of the 90 minutes as the second period proved a dull affair as caution undermined both sides’ play to prompt extra time.

In the extra time, Venezuela were the better of the two as they came close to scoring twice when on both the occasion the goal post came to their rescue. First Miku deflected a speculative long range effort from Giancarlo Maldanado past Justo Villar and on the second instance Juan Fernando Arango struck the same part of the goal-frame with a free-kick which was horribly misjudge by the Paraguay Goalkeeper.

Venezuela then were handed the man advantage when Paraguay had Santana sent off for a second caution just before half time in extra-time, They played out the second half of the extra time defending desperately as Venezuela launch a series of attacked, taking advantage of the 10 men.

The spot-kicks saw heartbreak for Venezuela as Villar proved the hero when he saved Lucena’s weak third penalty low to his right to give Martino’s men a dramatic victory, as Paraguay converted all five of their attempts through Ortigoza, Barrios, Riveros, Martinez and Veron.

Paraguay’s success was, however, marred by ugly scenes after the shoot-out, with players and officials from both the teams involved in a mass brawl. Police had to intervene and escort them from the pitch. The mass brawl is like to come under the scanner of the organizing committee and come under investigation.

Paraguay will face the fourteen time champions Uruguay in the Sunday final in Buenos Aires.