Paraguay defeat Brazil 4-3 on penalties to reach Copa America semi-finals

Paraguayan players celebrate after beating Brazil in the penalty shootout in the quarter-final

Paraguay booked a semi-final date with Argentina after overcoming Brazil 4-3 in the penalty shootout in the quarter-finals of the Copa America. The win was reminiscent of their victory against the same opponents in the 2011 Copa America.

Former Real Madrid and Manchester City striker Robinho had given Brazil the lead in the 15th minute after tucking away a cross from Barcelona right-back Dani Alves. It was Robinho's 99th appearance for the Selecao. But Paraguay equalised in the second half after they were awarded a penalty thanks to a Thigao Silva handball in the penalty box.

Derlis Gonzalez stepped up to take the spot-kick and levelled terms. With both sides level after full-time, the match went into the penalty shootout.

Failing in the shootout

Brazil missed two chances and were knocked out as Gonalez converted from the spot again in the shootout to hand the Paraguayans another big victory against the Brazilians in the Copa America.

The defeat has halted Brazil's resurgence under Dunga after they were humiliated in the World Cup last summer by Germany when they lost 7-1. The eight-time Copa Champions last won the tournament in 2007 while Paraguay will have an opportunity to win the trophy which they last won in 1979.

They will be up against Argentina whom they will face on July 1. The other semi-final will see hosts Chile face up against Peru for a place in the final on July 4 at Santiago.

Early lead for Brazil

Brazil could not capitalise on their strong start after getting into an early lead. Robinho who is in the team in place of Neymar had scored his first competitive goal for Brazil since 2010. The clever movement by Liverpool's new signing Roberto Firmino had unsettled the Paraguayan defence and helped Robinho to open the scoring.

But that was the only telling contribution by Firmino before he was substituted in the second half. Brazil hardly created any chance after the first goal as Paraguay gradually began to pile the pressure in the second half.

Paulo da Silva had a great chance to score from a corner as he sent a header goal wards, only to be denied by Brazilian keeper Jefferson. But a judgemental error by Thiago Silva literally gifted Paraguay a chance to come back into the game. The match went into penalties after both sides finished 1-1.

Back in 2011, Brazil had failed to score even one penalty in the shootout and this time they fared better by scoring three. But they missed two attempts which proved costly in the end as Paraguay booked their place in the semi-final of the Copa America.