Paraguay eliminates Brazil on penalties to reach semis

Paraguay set up a Copa America semifinal clash with Argentina by defeating Brazil 4-3 in a penalty shootout here on Saturday.

Derlis Gonzalez struck the decisive spot-kick to keep alive Paraguay's hopes of winning the continental tournament for the first time since 1979.

Earlier, Gonzalez cancelled out Robinho's first-half goal by converting a penalty after a Thiago Silva handball.

The result was a repeat of the 2011 Copa America when Paraguay also defeated Brazil in a quarterfinal penalty shootout.

Ramon Diaz's team will now meet 14-time champions Argentina here on Tuesday for a place in the final.

The defeat is expected to put pressure on Brazil coach Dunga, who has faced criticism from Brazil's media for the team's incoherent performances during this tournament.

Dunga, who captained Brazil to victory at the 1994 World Cup, was appointed coach of the team for a second time after their semifinal exit at last year's World Cup. He also led the Selecao from 2006 to 2010.

A recurring problem for Brazil here has been their lack of cutting edge in attack and so it was on Saturday that they failed to find inspiration in the final third.

Without their suspended captain and talisman Neymar, Brazil sat back from the outset, allowing Paraguay to dictate much of the tempo.

The Selecao did however have the best of the early chances.

Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar tipped over a dipping shot from Philippe Coutinho before Robinho opened Brazil's account by prodding in a Dani Alves cross at the far post.

Brazil looked particularly vulnerable at set pieces. Nelson Valdez headed over from a corner kick early in the second half and then Jefferson did well to keep out a bullet Paulo Da Silva header following another corner.

Dunga's team were made to pay for their shortcomings in the 69th minute when Silva touched the ball with his hand during an aerial challenge and Gonzalez cooly netted from the spot.

Far from springing Brazil to life, the goal pinned them back even further. A rare scoring chance came in the 81st minute when Coutinho rifled a low shot from an acute angle that Villar dug out.

With no extra time, both teams were intent on letting the 90 minutes elapse in anticipation of penalties.

And just like four years ago, Paraguay held their nerve when it mattered most.

Everton Ribeiro and Douglas Costa missed their spot kicks for Brazil while former Bayern Munich and Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz blasted his attempt over for Paraguay.

Then Gonzalez confidently stepped up to send Paraguay into the semifinals of football's oldest continental tournament for a 22nd time. Endi