Copa America 2019 hosts nation Brazil had to bank on mother luck to beat Paraguay 4-3 on penalties to progress to the semifinal of the tournament on Thursday night, June 28, after playing out a 0-0 draw in their quarter-final in Porto Alegre.
Man City star Gabriel Jesus netted the vital spot-kick for Brazil after Gustavo Gomez and Derlis Gonzalez missed for Paraguay. Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino also blasted his spot kick off target for the Selecao.
During the game proper, Brazil had more of the ball possession, especially after Paraguay's Fabian Balbuena saw red after a foul on Firmino as he was about netting the opener.
Brazil battled Paraguay to standstill with Willian’s strike hitting the post in the final minute, before Everton late effort crashing over the crossbar, resulting to the dreaded penalty shoot-out.
A last-four clash against either Argentina or Venezuela now awaits, with the Selecao still hot favourites to take the Copa on home soil. But Paraguay showed, just like Bolivia and the Vinotinto, that if the net is closed off Tite's men lack the tools to break through, despite their riches of attacking talent; something that must be worked on and fast.
No comments:
Post a Comment