Brazil 1-1 Paraguay (3-4 on pens): Dunga’s side crash out of Copa America quarter-finals after dramatic penalty shoot-out sees Ribiero and Costa fluff their lines

Robinho opened the scoring for Brazil after 15 minutes at the Ester Roa Rebolledo Stadium
Derlis Gonzalez equalised for Paraguay from the penalty spot in the 70th minute
Paraguay won 4-3 in the penalty shoot-out with Gonzalez scoring the winning kick
Ramon Diaz’s side now have the chance to reach a second successive semi-final

Published:
23:36 GMT, 27 June 2015

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Updated:
23:56 GMT, 27 June 2015

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No Neymar, no flair, and no Copa America semi-final against Argentina – it was Brazil, but not as we know them.

Dunga’s side had failed to convince en-route to the last eight but could not to build on Robinho’s opening goal against Paraguay and were eventually beaten on penalties.

And the opportunity to reach a second successive final is the least Ramon Diaz’s side deserved for a dominant second-half performance.

Derlis Gonzalez wheels away in celebration after booking Paraguay a place in the semi-finals of Copa America

Paraguay players celebrate as they seal a place in the last-four with victory against Brazil in the shoot-out

Brazil players look dejected after the defeat to Paraguay on penalties in the quarter-finals in Concepcion

A Paraguay supporter celebrates as she watches her side clinch a place in the last-four in Chile

Both teams look on as the penalty shoot-out takes place in the Copa America quarter-final on Saturday

MATCH FACTS

BRAZIL: Jefferson, Miranda, Filipe Luis, Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Philippe Coutinho, Fernandinho, Roberto Firmino (Tardelli 69), Elias, Willian (Costa 60), Robinho (Ribeiro 87)

Subs not used: Marcelo Grohe, Neto, Marquinhos, Luiz, Geferson, Fabinho, Fred, Casemiro

Goal: Robinho 15

Booked: Alves, Coutinho

PARAGUAY: Villar, P Aguilar, B Valdez, Da Silva, Piris, Caceres, Aranda (Martinez 77), Santa Cruz, Benitez (Romero 84), N Valdez (Bobadilla 74), Gonzalez

Subs not used: A Aguilar, A Silva, M Caceres, Balbuena, Samudio, Molinas, Ortigoza, Barrios, Bobadilla

Goal: Gonzalez 72 (pen)

Booked: P Aguilar, B Valdez, Martinez

Paraguay’s equaliser came from the spot via the boot of Derlis Gonzalez and, after dreadful misses from Everton Ribeiro and Douglas Costa in the shoot-out, the same player clinched victory to set up a repeat of their first group game against Argentina.

Brazil coach Dunga, who was forced to apologise this weekend for comparing the criticism he receives to the persecution of black people, kept faith in the side that beat Venezuela last weekend.

Paraguay rang the changes however with Ramon Diaz recalling four players to his starting line-up, including former Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz.

But Ramon Diaz’s side were soon on the back foot as Filipe Luis fed Philippe Coutinho and the Liverpool midfielder’s fierce drive from 30 yards was tipped over by Justo Villar.

On Friday night, Colombia had successfully held out against Argentina for 90 minutes, but Paraguay were already showing more adventure with Santa Cruz heading just wide from Julian Benitez’s deft chip into the area.

Thiago Silva then had to be alert to stop a cross from Nelson Valdez reaching Santa Cruz but it was Brazil who broke the deadlock.

Robinho started the move he would soon finish, feeding Elias who in turn found Dani Alves and the Barcelona full-back’s cross was converted with aplomb.

Previous editions of this competition have both launched Robinho’s international career and heralded the start of his two-year exile.

Eight years ago, he scored all four of Brazil’s goals in the group stage before adding two more to finish as the tournament’s top scorer.

He was also named the best player in Venezuela as Argentina were beaten in the final.

But in 2011, he failed to score in any of Brazil’s four games as they lost on penalties to Paraguay in the last eight and soon found himself shunned by first Mano Menezes and then Luis Felipe Scolari.

Robinho celebrates after scoring the opening goal for Brazil in the Copa America clash against Paraguay

Robinho (third left) celebrates after putting the ball into the back of the net to put Brazil ahead in Concepcion

Robinho jumps in the air in celebration as the Brazilians take an early lead within the first 15 minutes of the game

Derlis Gonzalez makes no mistake from the penalty spot to equalise for Paraguay in the second half

Gonzalez (centre) celebrates with his Paraguay team-mates after drawing his side level

But Dunga’s return to the touchline and a successful loan spell at Santos led to another chance and after Neymar’s tournament-ending ban, he is now the focal point of Brazil’s attack.

But if his strike was to be the cue for an avalanche of goals, it failed to arrive.

Paraguay, stung by the goal, eventually settled back into their rhythm without being unduly troubled.

In fact, Robinho’s finish was the only touch in the Paraguay area by a Brazil player in the first half.

At the other end, Pablo Aguilar could not divert his header clear of imposing centre back Miranda before Nelson Valdez’s long-range effort was comfortably saved by Jefferson.

Paraguay began the second half on the ascendancy as Derlis Gonzalez tried to curl a free in at the near post only for Jefferson to punch clear before Nelson Valdez headed over the bar when well positioned.

Brazil’s Philippe Coutinho (left) holds off the challenge of Paraguay’s Eduardo Aranda at the Ester Roa Rebolledo Stadium

Uruguyan referee Andres Cunha gestures towards Robinho during a heated debate between the two sides

Paraguayan Aranda (right) sticks the high boot up in the air as Brazil’s Roberto Firmino looks on

Robinho (left) is challenged in the air for the header by Paraguay’s Bruno Valdez during the quarter-final clash

Encouraged, Diaz’s side pushed forward and only an alert Jefferson kept out Paulo Da Silva’s header from 12 yards.

And having battled back from two goals down against Argentina in their opening game, Paraguay deservedly levelled here.

Thiago Silva was correctly adjudged to have handled in the area and Gonzalez powered his penalty past Jefferson.

The equaliser forced Brazil to abandon their defensive stance but still it was Paraguay who looked most like scoring.

Santa Cruz sent Gonzalez racing down the right wing but having cut inside, his shot was parried by Jefferson.

Indeed, Brazil could only muster long-range efforts from Coutinho and Alves in the closing stages as their challenge petered out.

Santa Cruz’s miss from 12 yards gave them hope but it merely delayed the inevitable and Paraguay soon made sure of a second successive quarter-final win over Brazil.