Copa America 2015: Brazil 1-1 Paraguay (3-4 after penalties): 5 talking points

Paraguay spoiled the party for Brazil yet again as Dunga’s men exited the tournamentParaguay set up a semi-final clash with Argentina after they repeated their 2011 Copa America penalty shootout win over Brazil in the final quarter-final. Santos forward Robinho calmly tucked away Dani Alves’ cross on his 99th cap to give the Selecao an early lead. But Thiago Silva’s second-half handball gave Paraguay a lifeline, which was taken by Derlis Gonzalez, who equalised from the spot and sent the game to penalties.Brazil’s two left footers, Everton Ribeiro and Douglas Costa, missed the target completely and left Gonzalez with a chance to score again from spot to clinch a semi-final berth, which the 21-year-old did with consummate ease.Here are the major talking points from the game.

#1 Party poopers Paraguay tear up the plan

Paraguay have reached their second successive semi-final in the Copa Americ

The 2015 Copa America hasn’t been a classic by any means. While there have been a few teams that have played some good football, it has largely been about petulant players and an overly physical approach by the lesser sides. Yet, it looked as though the tournament was setting up for a fantastic finale.

With Chile, the tournament’s best side, already in the semi-final and looking like they have a team to win their first tournament and a mouth-watering clash between Brazil and Argentina in the semis on the cards. But Paraguay spoiled the party, just like they did in 2011 by making it to their second-successive semi-final in this tournament. While we might still get a Chile-Argentina final, Ramon Diaz’s side ensured that we have to wait a little longer for a clash between the favourites.

#2 Brazil pay for their negativity

Brazil were content after scoring a goal that ultimately cost them dear in the end

Given how tight the previous three quarter-finals have been, an early goal looked like the perfect result for the crowd gathered at Concepcion, who had come looking for a decent game of football in their first taste of Copa America action. But Brazil’s approach to the game changed completely once they took the lead and in the end cost them dear.

Dunga’s pragmatic side took over and the Selecao looked as though they were content with a 1-0 goal and didn’t want to go out chasing for a second or a third. Even the substitutions made by the World Cup winning captain were negative, while Diaz showed an intent to win the game in normal time by bringing on two attacking midfielders. In the end, the momentum Paraguay had coupled with Brazil’s negative mind-set saw history repeat itself as Diaz’s side went through to the semi-finals to face Argentina.

#3 Paraguay\'s resilience rescues them

Paraguay have showed that they are no pushovers in the Copa America

Paraguay might not be the tournament’s finest side, but they have two things going for them. They are resilient beyond measure and in Diaz, they have a coach who is unafraid of making bold moves and is an excellent organiser of his team. They needed both in equal measure to set up a semi-final date with Argentina.

The compact nature of the Paraguay side meant that the Selecao had to work really hard to get into good attacking positions. With a defence that stayed solid and covering midfielders who remained compact and aggressive, they had the perfect platform to stop the counter-attacks easily.

But a strong defence wouldn’t have done them any good if they didn’t believe they could score and get back in the game. But just like they did against Argentina and Uruguay in the group stage, Paraguay’s powers of resilience were enough to get them back into the game.

And they will need both the aforementioned things and a whole lot of luck if they are to reach their second-successive Copa America final.

#4 Are Brazil losing their shootout prowess?

Brazil were undone yet again in the penalty shoot-out

For the second day running, one of South America’s heavyweights had be dragged into a penalty shootout to decide who goes through to the semi-final. And it looked as though the odds were stacked heavily in the Selecao’s favour. While Jefferson hasn’t had the greatest of tournaments, his athletic stature and penalty saving skills meant that Diaz wouldn’t have fancied his side’s chances in the shootout.

On top of that, Brazil’s record in shootouts has been remarkable. Ever since the 1994 World Cup when Dunga scored and the Selecao won on penalties, they have won five penalty shootouts.

Their Copa America record in the last decade is even more impressive. In 2004, they won both the semis and final in a shootout and three years later, won another semi-final shootout. 2011’s loss to Paraguay in which they failed to convert even a single kick looked to be the exception, but their second consecutive Copa America shootout loss might signal the shifting of the tide as far Brazil’s shootout fortunes are concerned.

#5 Will this be Robinho\'s final swansong?

Robinho capped his 99^th cap with a goal whichwent in a losing cause

The last time Brazil met Paraguay in the Copa America was at the same stage in 2011 where both Robinho and Neymar started. Since losing that game on penalties, the career trajectory of both players have gone in completely opposite directions. While Robinho had to wait another four years for his next start, Neymar went onto captain the side.

Starting in only his second game since that 2011 clash, the 31-year-old scored his first international goal since November 2013 and showed that Dunga was right to go back to the future and bring him back from the wilderness. But after another shootout loss, one wonders whether he will be stuck on 99 caps.