Up next for Brazil is a date with either Argentina or Venezuela in the semi-final. That’s all for our live coverage, thanks for following along. Goodbye!
Brazil are pushed to the brink in Porto Alegre by the 10 men of Paraguay, but the hosts survive a scare as Gabriel Jesus scores the decisive penalty in the shootout, after Derlis Gonzalez missed the target, to send the Selecao into the semi-finals. Paraguay battled bravely after going a man down following Fabian Balbuena’s sending off, but they just fail to complete the job as Brazil keep their dreams of winning on home soil alive.
FULL-TIME: BRAZIL 0-0 PARAGUAY (4-3 pens).
BRAZIL ARE INTO THE SEMI-FINALS! Jesus turns water into wine in Porto Alegre as he coolly dispatches his penalty to break Paraguay’s hearts, sending the hosts into the final four!
D. González
Penalty SO Miss
OPPORTUNITY WASTED! Paraguay are gifted a route back into the shootout, but Gonzalez gives it right back as he drags his penalty wide! It’s still 3-3, but Brazil can win it now if they score next…
Roberto Firmino
Penalty SO Miss
HE’S MISSED IT! It’s still 3-3 and Paraguay are handed a lifeline as Firmino gets it all wrong, missing the net with his effort! Everyone on the edge of their seat now!
R. Rojas
Penalty SO Goal
DELIGHTFUL PENALTY! 3-3! With emphasis, that from Rojas, as he smashes his penalty into the roof of the net. No chance for Alisson.
Philippe Coutinho
Penalty SO Goal
COUTINHO KEEPS BRAZIL PERFECT! 3-2! Only just, but that does the job as he just rolls it under the reach of Fernandez, who had guessed right!
B. Valdez
Penalty SO Goal
PARAGUAY RESPOND! 2-2! Another close call, though, with Alisson reacting to Valdez’s penalty instead of guessing, but just failing to get to it as it was struck with too much power.
Marquinhos
Penalty SO Goal
BRAZIL SCORE, BARELY! Fernandez gets a hand to Marquinhos’ penalty, but can’t keep it out! It’s 2-1 Brazil after two shots each.
M. Almirón
Penalty SO Goal
PARAGUAY EVEN IT UP! 1-1. No mistake from Almiron, who calms his side’s nerves to get them off the mark in the shootout with a cool penalty.
Willian
Penalty SO Goal
BRAZIL LEAD! It’s 1-0 as Willian stutters in his run up, sending Fernandez the wrong way to put the hosts in front!
G. Gómez
Penalty SO Miss
ADVANTAGE BRAZIL! A perfect start to the shootout for the hosts as Alisson guesses right to parry Gomez’s penalty, which was sent in at a comfortable height for the keeper!
Penalties will decide the first spot in the semi-finals, as Brazil are Paraguay are headed to spot kicks in Porto Alegre! The hosts mounted a ferocious push for a breakthrough in the final 30 minutes, following Fabian Balbuena’s sending off, but Paraguay, lead by an outstanding performance from Roberto Fernandez, manage to hold down the fort and keep their Copa America hopes alive!
90′ + 8′ END OF 90 MINUTES: BRAZIL 0-0 PARAGUAY.
90′ + 7′ ANOTHER HUGE CHANCE! Coutinho this time gets a good look at goal from just inside the penalty area, but Gomez bravely and crucially intervenes to deflect it behind!
90′ + 6′ THAT WAS THE CHANCE! Everton had the game at his feet, as the ball deflects into his path in the penalty area, but he lifts his effort over the bar! That had to be on target!
90′ + 5′ Into the final minutes and Brazil are scrambling to get the ball forward, but they’re coming up against an incredibly stubborn and determined Paraguay outfit. Can someone step up and be the hero here, or is this match destined for penalties?
90′ + 3′ A chance on the break! Brazil are completely caught out as Paraguay get forward on the counter, with Gonzalez sprinting behind the defence. He rolls a pass across for Escobar, but the substitute just hesitates for a second and the chance is gone, as his effort is blocked behind!
90′ + 1′ The board goes up to indicate a minimum of seven minutes to be added on, which is met by an encouraging roar from the home supporters.
90′ OFF THE WOODWORK! Brazil come about as close as possible without scoring, as Willian drives inside onto his left foot and drives a strike through a crowd of bodies. It has Fernandez beaten, but not the frame of the goal as it smacks off the inside of the post and somehow stays out!
88′ EXQUISITE GOALKEEPING! Fine reactions from Fernandez to keep this match goalless! He reacts expertly to deny Alex Sandro’s header on the end of a free-kick floated invitingly in towards the far post by Coutinho!
86′ Brazil and Paraguay last met in the Copa America on this exact date four years ago, also in the quarter-finals, with Paraguay advancing on penalties.
Lucas Paquetá
Dani Alves
85′ Brazil make their final change of the match, and it’s Paqueta who comes on for them with Dani Alves giving way.
Arthur
Yellow Card
84′ It’s just a yellow for Arthur.
83′ There was an incident behind the play shortly before that Everton chance, and the referee is heading over to check with VAR. Arthur got an elbow up into the face of Almiron. Could he be in trouble? It definitely looked accidental.
82′ Yikes! Everton has produces a couple of excellent strikes in this Copa America, but this certainly isn’t one of them. The match is calling out for a moment of quality from him, as he makes one of his trademark runs down the left before cutting in on his right, but he gets his strike all wrong as he scuffs it miles wide of the target.
80′ Into the final 10 minutes and the responsibility is solely on Brazil here. The last thing they will want is to squander this opportunity with the extra man and go to penalties. Paraguay have shown signs of breaking, but they can almost see the finish line now.
J. Escobar
R. Sánchez
78′ A final roll of the dice from Berizzo as Escobar, the young Cerro Porteno defender, replace Sanchez.
76′ SO CLOSE! Brazil are knocking at the door, and you have to wonder when they might barge it open. Another excellent bit of interplay culminates in a great look for Everton, but Piris just manages to get the slightest of deflections to turn it wide of the near post and into the side netting!
R. Rojas
H. Pérez
74′ A second Paraguay change sees Rodrigo Rojas replace Perez in midfield.
74′ HUGE CHANCE! The best of the night for Brazil without a doubt, but Paraguay escape! They attack down the right, with the ball being played into the area, eventually falling for Jesus who turns and drives an effort inches wide of the near post from a mere eight yards!
73′ Paraguay aren’t even trying to get bodies forward. They win a free-kick just inside the attacking half, following some tidy dribbling from Perez, but the resulting delivery is lifted into the penalty area where just two red and white shirts are waiting, as Alisson collects rather easily.
Willian
Allan
71′ Brazil’s second change is certainly a positive one, as Willian is brought on at the expense of Allan. That’s a winger for a holding midfielder.
69′ BLISTERING EFFORT! Better from Brazil as they makes waves down the left, before working the ball across to Arthur on the edge of the penalty area. He smacks a fierce effort at goal from a little over 20 yards, but Fernandez is wise to it!
67′ One-way traffic in Porto Alegre, bur Brazil still haven’t been able to create much of anything. All hands on deck for Paraguay, and they’re doing a wonderful job holding down the fort.
65′ Paraguay have won only one of their last 20 Copa America games (11D 8L). Despite that dubious record, they reached the final in 2011, and the semi-finals in 2015.
63′ It’s shaping up to be a long final half hour for Paraguay. They have to be really disciplined here as Brazil come at them with the extra man. Can they hold down the fort, or is it a matter of time before Brazil find the breakthrough now?
B. Valdez
S. Arzamendia
61′ Paraguay are quick to make a change, with Berizzo bringing on a centre-back to fill the vacancy following Balbuena’s sending off. Valdez enters the fray at the expense of Arzamendia, who was playing out on the left side of midfield.
60′ VITAL SAVE! Paraguay have it all to do, down a man, but it was important for them to escape without conceding there and Fernandez does just that, diving across to his right to parry Dani Alves’ low, driven free-kick.
F. Balbuena
Red Card
58′ PARAGUAY DOWN TO 10 MEN! Wow! This sure is some decision from the referee – but it looks to be the right one. Following a very lengthy review, the referee runs back onto the pitch and shows Balbuena a straight red card! It was a clumsy challenge, denying a clear scoring chance, no doubt about it. A small consolation for Paraguay is the fact that the referee has now changed it to a free-kick, rather than a penalty.
56′ The referee needs a second look at this, listening to his headset before heading over to the touchline to look at the replay. A common theme of this tournament has been how long these VAR checks are taking, and this is proving no different. There was no doubt about this being a foul, but the referee is checking whether the contact occured inside the area or just outside of it.
54′ PENALTY TO BRAZIL! It’s a rather rash intervention from Balbuena, who arrives late and barges into Firmino, tripping him up and sending the striker to ground after he was played cleverly through on goal!
53′ Another shooting chance is wasted by Brazil, this one on the second time of asking as Arthur lifts a decent effort over the bar after seeing his initial strike blocked. Brazil are getting some better looks, but it’s still not good enough from them.
51′ Paraguay are unbeaten in their last four games against Brazil in Copa America (1W 3D); the two most recent meetings were quarter-final draws, with the Paraguayans advancing after penalty shootouts.
49′ Brazil are using a more direct approach in the opening stages of this second half, showing more urgency to force the ball forward. A well-worked move leads to a shooting chance for Coutinho, but he can only roll a tame effort at Fernandez from 20 yards.
Roberto Firmino
Yellow Card
47′ Firmino picks up a very early yellow card following the restart, with his foot sliding off the ball and stomping on the ankle of Arzamendia. It was certainly accidental, but dangerous enough to warrant a booking.
46′ Paraguay get the second half underway!
Alex Sandro
Filipe Luis
46′ Tite makes a precautionary change at the interval as Filipe Luis, who was on a yellow, is replaced by Alex Sandro. It’s a straight swap at left-back.
Tite might feel confident in his side being able to break through with the aid of a few tactical adjustments, but he does have plenty of attacking options off the bench should he wish to spark his side with a substitution. Ajax’s David Neres will be licking his chops for an opportunity to impress, while Willian’s experience could also be called upon.
Goalless through 45 minute in Porto Alegre, following a frustrating half for the hosts who leave the pitch to a scattering of boos. Twice in the opening five minutes they called Roberto Fernandez into action, but the Paraguay goalkeeper has had little to do since, with his side carving out the best chance thus far – Alisson producing a terrific stop to deny Derlis Gonzalez the breakthrough.
45′ + 2′ HALF-TIME: BRAZIL 0-0 PARAGUAY.
45′ There will be two minutes added on at the end of this first half.
Filipe Luis
Yellow Card
44′ First signs of frustration from Brazil as Filipe Luis fouls Piris high up the pitch after Brazil gave the ball away, and that will see the full-back into the referee’s book.
43′ A very late offside flag brings a Brazil attack to an end. Play had continued for close to 10 seconds before the referee noticed the flag raised on the touchline, with Firmino straying a good yard behind the defence as Dani Alves whipped in a cross.
41′ Brazil have set up camp again in the attacking half, but there are just too many defenders behind the ball. Tite is going to have to make a couple of tactical changes at the break in order to get his side ticking.
39′ Paraguay are the first team to progress past the group stages of a Copa America with only two points, since three points for a win was introduced in 1995.
J. Alonso
Yellow Card
37′ Alonso puts in a hard, poorly timed challenge on Everton in midfield, and that will see him into the referee’s book. That’s three yellow cards in seven minutes for Paraguay, if anyone is counting.
36′ There’s really not much happening for Brazil going forward, as they’ve struggled to get into a rhythm up against this physical approach from Paraguay. The foul count is rapidly rising, but that’s largely down to how congested it is in midfield.
I. Piris
Yellow Card
34′ Piris becomes the second Paraguay player booked in four minutes, as he just arrives late and fouls Jesus high up the pitch, attempting to win the ball back and keep the pressure on Brazil.
32′ The longer this match stays goalless, the more Paraguay seem to be growing in confidence. They’re definitely in the ascendancy at the moment, enjoying more time in attack as they look to steal the lead and send Brazil into a state of panic.
S. Arzamendia
Yellow Card
30′ Brazil look to break quickly following a Paraguay corner, and Arzamendia says no as he fouls Dani Alves to prevent the counter, picking up the game’s first yellow card.
29′ EXCELLENT SAVE! The best chance of the match thus far falls to Paraguay, as Gonzalez is picked out at the far post on the end of a lovely delivery from Perez, and does well to control before lifting a fierce effort on target from point-blank range! Alisson reacts expertly to parry behind, however, as Porto Alegre breathes a collective sigh of relief.
27′ Brazil have kept a clean sheet in all their games at Copa America 2019 (2W 1D); this is their longest such run in the competition since 1997.
25′ Despite all the time they’ve spent on the ball, Brazil have done a nice job of not getting caught out at the back. Paraguay have yet to be able to catch them streched, and have failed to offer much going forward as a result.
23′ The match has certainly had the intensity of a knockout fixture, but the quality hasn’t been able to follow suit. It’s all been rather combative, with Paraguay doing their best to prevent it from developing a nice flow or tempo.
21′ Coutinho clashes heads with Gomez, and the referee immediately calls for the training staff of Brazil to come out onto the pitch. His urgency suggested some reason for concern, but Coutinho looks fine and doesn’t seem interested in receiving treatment, instead using the brief stoppage to have a drink of water.
19′ Brazil are penetrating a bit more, enjoying more success down the right flank, but Paraguay are doing well to deny them from getting on the end of any crosses. Still, the more Brazil play on the ball, the more they look to be developing a nice rhythm.
17′ Paraguay have never won a Copa America quarter-final game in 90 minutes (4D 4L); however, they eliminated Brazil on penalties on the last two occasions (2011 and 2015).
15′ Perez is lucky to avoid the first booking of the match as he gives away possession with a poor attempt at a cross, before taking out his frustrations on Filipe Luis in an attempt to win the ball back, barging through the full-back from the rear. He had no real intention of winning the ball there.
13′ There’s a real sense of calm about Paraguay as they defend Brazil’s attempts to get forward. They’ve done really well to stay organised, displaying some good discipline off the ball.
11′ Possession is back with Brazil, who have a tendancy to not let it go when they get it. They’ve employed quite a patient approach on the ball, knocking it about in midfield with Paraguay refusing to be pulled out of their shape.
9′ Paraguay are starting to settle in and get their footing in the match, applying a bit of fight back following Brazil’s comfortable start. There’s a good combativeness about Paraguay in the early going.
7′ Brazil registered the most shots attempted (58) and the fewest faced (19) in the group stages of the Copa America 2019.
5′ Again Fernandez has a bit of work, this time called into action by an Everton strike from a similar distance, but this save is even more straightforward. Good early pressure from Brazil, nonethless, as they play with a refreshing urgency straight out of the gate.
3′ Early chance for Brazil! They enjoy most of the early possession, and eventually they manage to work a small opening for Firmino, but the striker shoots straight into the arms of Fernandez from the edge of the penalty area.
1′ AND THEY’RE OFF! Brazil in their classic yellow tops and blue shorts as they get the match underway, with Paraguay in white and red stripes.
SUBS: Cecilio Dominguez, Antony Silva, Oscar Romero, Ivan Torres, Alfredo Aguilar, Rodrigo Rojas, Bruno Valdez, Oscar Cardozo, Matias Rojas, Juan Escobar, Federico Santander, Juan Iturbe.
PARAGUAY (5-4-1): Roberto Fernandez; Ivan Piris, Gustavo Gomez, Fabian Balbuena, Junior Alonso, Santiago Arzamendia; Derlis Gonzalez, Richard Sanchez, Celso Ortiz, Hernan Perez; Miguel Almiron.
SUBS: Lucas Paqueta, David Neres, Cassio, Willian, Ederson, Alex Sandro, Miranda, Eder Militao, Fagner.
BRAZIL (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Dani Alves, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Filipe Luis; Arthur, Allan; Gabriel Jesus, Philippe Coutinho, Everton; Roberto Firmino.
With free-scoring Brazil on the docket, Eduardo Berizzo makes the switch to five at the back – West Ham’s Fabian Balbuena coming into the fold at centre-back to accommodate the change. The experienced Celso Ortiz and Hernan Perez are brought into midfield, while Newcastle’s Miguel Almiron operates as a false nine, with regular striker Oscar Cardozo dropping to the bench.
Tite makes just one change to the Brazil side from the demolition over Peru. With Casemiro suspended and Fernandinho injured, Napoli’s Allan starts alongside Arthur in midfield. Richarlison misses out through illness, meaning Everton and Gabriel Jesus will again flank striker Roberto Firmino, with Philippe Coutinho operating as the number 10.
They showed naivety as they squandered leads in draws with Qatar and Argentina, before stumbling against Colombia in their finale, a match they viewed as a must-win. Results elsewhere were friendly, handing their tournament hopes a lifeline. Can they capitalise on the opportunity?
Contrastingly, Paraguay were anything but impressive in the group stage, reaching the quarter-finals with just two points to their name by virtue of a goal difference tiebreaker over Japan.
A draw with Venezuela, following a 3-0 opening match win over Bolivia, was the only minor blip on their radar, but a 5-0 win over Peru to close out the group stage suggests they are just hitting their stride, reinforcing their championship pedigree.
Hosts Brazil entered the tournament as favourites, and their performance in the group stage has done nothing but solidify that reputation as they clinically matched to top spot in Group A.
Hello and welcome to live coverage of this Copa America quarter-final match as Brazil welcome Paraguay to Gremio Arena in Porto Alegre!
Gabriel Jesus
Penalty SO Goal