Brazil had to wait longer than expected, but they ended winning a spot in the semifinals. Following a stalemate in the 90 minutes, La Canarinha decided their fate form the penalty spot. A 4-3 win sent the hosts towards the final four, while Paraguay will pack their bags and return home after Paraguay didn’t win any of their four matches in this tournament.
A tight first half predicted the final outcome
The first half developed exactly as one would have expected, with Brazil dominating possession and Paraguay waiting on their own half looking to hit the counter. The best example of Brazil’s complete dominance was the fact that they had the ball for almost 70% of the time during the first 45 minutes. However, the lack of chances was something that didn’t go unnoticed.
Brazil’s best chance to score came in the fourth minute thanks to Roberto Firmino. The Liverpool striker took advantage of a precise pass and ended in a good scoring position, but Roberto Fernandez made an excellent stop to deny him. Despite the fact Brazil had possession during most of the initial 45 minutes, they couldn’t muster much on the attacking end. In particular, the likes of Éverton, Jesus and Coutinho were quite poor.
Paraguay wanted to sit back and defend as their main priority, but they still had one huge chance to score. It came in the 29th minute thanks to Derlis Gonzalez, who tested Alisson with a shot into the top corner from a promising position. But the Liverpool goalkeeper denied him, and things remained scoreless at the half-time mark.
Brazil’s dominance couldn’t be reflected on the scoreboard
Tite decided to send Alex Sandro to replace Filipe Luis, and Brazil kept in control of the contest after the break. La Selecao could have had a penalty in the 54th minute when Fabian Balbuena brought down Firmino, but the VAR review determined it was a free kick and the West Ham centre-back was sent off. Fernandez was magnificent to stop Dani Alves’ attempt, though, and the score kept scoreless.
The rest of the game was a one-sided contest where Brazil ended playing with five attackers, but that didn’t matter much. Firmino, Éverton and Gabriel Jesus all missed scoring chances, but the Manchester City attacker’s one was glaring. He failed to score one from inside the six-yard box in a play he usually converts at Manchester City.
Paraguay decided to hold on until the penalties with an ultra-defensive 4-5-0 tactical system. La Selecao had two final chances. One in the 88th minute with a close-range header where Fernandez was magnificent once again to parry the ball away, and another one with a Willian shot from outside the box that hit the post with Fernandez beaten. Éverton attempted one in the 96th minute from point-blank range, but his effort got deflected and went above the crossbar.
Eduardo Berizzo’s men eventually held on, though, and the match was decided on a penalty shootout. But Brazil were more effective from the spot, and earned a semifinal spot following a 4-3 win on the shootout. Willian, Marquinhos, Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus scored for La Selecao, while Miguel Almiron, Bruno Valdez and Rodrigo Rojas netted for La Albirroja. Firmino (BRA), Gustavo Gomez (PAR) and Derlis Gonzalez (PAR) couldn’t convert their shots.
Brazil ended winning deservedly here. And now they will wait for the semifinal opponent – either Venezuela or Argentina.
Match Report
Brazil: Alisson; Dani Alves (Lucas Paquetá, 83’), Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Filipe Luis (Alex Sandro, 46’); Arthur, Allan (Willian, 71’); Gabriel Jesús, Philippe Coutinho, Éverton; Roberto Firmino
Paraguay: Fernandez; Piris, Balbuena, Gomez, Alonso, Arzamendia (Valdez, 61’); Gonzalez, Sanchez (Escobar, 78’), Ortiz, Perez (R. Rojas, 74’); Almiron
Goals: None. Brazil
Referee: Roberto Tobar (Chile)
Yellow Cards: Filipe Luis, Roberto Firmino (BRA); Arzamendia, Piris, Alonso (PAR)
Red Cards: Balbuena (PAR)
Venue: Arena do Gremio
Attendance: 48,211
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