MATCH 12 REPORT : PARAGUAY AND CHILE DRAW LEVEL IN AREQUIPA

The first half was a tight affair, with both teams trying to defend a lot. Paraguay, who went forward more often, were unable to make the finish. Chile, who rarely attacked, didn¿t strike at Justo Villar´s goal. On 20 minutes, the Chileans had their best chance, with striker Mirosevic unleashing a piledriver from outside the box, but off target. Paraguay only came close on 32 minuts, when Torres supplied a cross and defender Luis Fuentes almost found the net with a header. At the end of the first half, striker Haedo had a chance to score for the Paraguayans, but nodded over the bar from a Paredes´ cross.

In the second half, Chilean manager Juvenal Olmos swapped left-back Rodrigo Perez for Mauricio Aros and put frontman Hector Mancilla in Patricio Galaz´s place. The change paid off as Chile pressed forward with more efficiency. On 49 minutes, Mirosevic struck from distance, forcing Villar to a difficult save. Then, Mancilla broke down the left before firing wide. On 71 minutes, defender Aros delivered a cross from the left, the ball crossed the face of goal before finding striker Sebastian Gonzalez (who squandered a spot-kick against Brazil) to crash home. This goal kicked Paraguay into action. On 78 minutes, left-back Ernesto Cristaldo tried his luck from way out and scored a blockbuster, lobbing keeper Claudio Bravo. This result, which practically secures Paraguay in the second phase, made coach Carlos Jara close his ranks to hold the draw. He replaced striker Fredy Bareiro for defender Emilio Martinez. With the substitution, he managed to block the Chilean attack, who never reached Villar´s goal. Paraguay meet Brazil on the 14th, with the first place in Group C at stake. Chile take on Costa Rica trying to achieve a quarterfinal berth.

Chile: Claudio Bravo, Ismael Fuentes, Luis Fuentes, Rafael Olarra and Rodrigo Pérez (Mauricio Aros, halftime); Rodrigo Valenzuela, Clarence Acuña (Rodrigo Millar, 18/2), Rodrigo Meléndez and Milovan Mirosevic. Sebastián González and Patricio Galaz (Héctor Mancilla, halftime). Coach: Juvenal Olmos

Paraguay: Justo Villar, Derlis González, Pedro Benítez, Carlos Gamarra and Ernesto Cristaldo; Edgar Barreto, Carlos Paredes, Diego Figueredo (Dante Lopez, 22/2) and Aureliano Torres; Fredy Bareiro (Emilio Martinez, 35/2) and Nelson Haedo (Julio dos Santos, 20/2). Coach: Carlos Jara

Venue: Estádio Monumental da Universidade Nacional de San Agustin (Arequipa-PER)

Referee: Gustavo Méndez (URU)

Assistant Referees: Winston Reategui (PER) and Fredy Viltty (BOL)

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