News : Copa América: Brazil win against Paraguay and are in the semi-finals

News :

Copa América: Brazil win against Paraguay and are in the semi-finals

Friday, 06/28/2019 06:44 clock

Brazil have beaten Paraguay in the quarter-finals of the Copa América and will be back in the semi-finals of the South American Championship for the first time in twelve years. The Seleção won on Thursday in Porto Alegre 4: 3 (0-0) on penalties. The five-time World Champion struggled during the regular season against Paraguay, although the outsider played in the 58th minute after a red card in outnumbered. So the 90 minutes were scoreless. In the penalty shoot-out, Gabriel gave Jesus the decisive penalty.

"The team deserved the win," Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker said after the game: "It was a draw, but against a side that did not want to play in the match, we took the next step and still have two ahead of us, to win the Copa América. "

The step into the semi-final was not easy for Brazil. Although the referee had dismissed Paraguay's central defender Fabián Balbuena (58th minute) after he had knocked over Brazilian striker Firmino on the penalty line. The referee initially pointed at the penalty spot, but resumed his decision using video evidence. Dani Alves took the next free-kick next to the goal. Although the Brazilians had a number of good chances. Everton, Arthur, Philippe Coutinho, Firmino and Willian failed, however, at Paraguayan goalkeeper Gatito Fernández or at the crossbar.

Ueslei Marcelino / REUTERS

Fabián Balbuena (No.4) saw the red card

So it remained after 90 minutes 0: 0, the penalty shootout had to decide - extensions are only played from the semifinals. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker parried the first shot of the Paraguayans. But then it was exciting again when Roberto did not meet Firmino. However, the Paraguayan Derlis González also missed the goal. Gabriel Jesus then shot the Brazilians into the semi-finals.

The story almost seemed to repeat itself: Also in 2011 and 2015, the Seleção had met each in the semifinals on Paraguay and had not beat the Albirroja in regular time. This time, however, the Brazilians, even without superstar Neymar, in the semifinals had the stronger nerves.

In the semifinals on Tuesday it could come to Superclásico between Brazil and Argentina: The team to Lionel Messi plays on Friday in the quarterfinals against Venezuela. Brazil had played 0-0 in the group stage against Venezuela.