Copa America: Paraguay vs Argentina in Semi-Final

Derlis González fired Paraguay into a Copa América semi-final showdown against Argentina, converting the crucial spot-kick to defeat Brazil 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Concepción.

Dunga’s men suffered a repeat of their 2011 Copa nightmare, when they crashed out to the same opponents in the last eight of the competition, with Everton Ribeiro and Douglas Costa both missing from 12 yards on this occasion.

Roque Santa Cruz had the chance to send his side through to Tuesday’s last-four encounter on the same ground, but could only blaze his effort wildly over the bar, leaving González, who had also scored from the spot in normal time, to assume the mantle of his nation’s hero.

The Seleção had forged ahead in the 15th minute when Robinho swept home from close range after new Liverpool signing Roberto Firmino allowed Dani Alves’ low cross from the right to run past him at the near post.

Bizarrely, it was Brazil’s only touch in the Paraguay box in the entire first half, a statistic which demonstrated how they were unable to press home their early advantage against a well-organised Albirroja outfit.

And Ramón Díaz’s men drew level 18 minutes from time when González drilled home from the penalty spot after Thiago Silva inexplicably handled a hanging cross in the box as he battled for the ball with Santa Cruz, meaning further spot-kicks were required at the end of 90 minutes.

Taken from http://www.ca2015.com/en