MATCH 18 REPORT : PARAGUAY BEAT BRAZIL TO TAKE FIRST PLACE

Despite playing without some of their key players, Paraguay beat Brazil 2-1, in Arequipam, and secured top spot in Group C of Copa América. Julio Gonzalez and FRedy Bareiro scored the goals for Carlos Jara´s team, while Luis Fabiano bagged the only goal for the Brazilians. With this result, Paraguay face Uruguay, Best 3rd in the first phase, in the quarterfinals. Brazil take on Mexico, leaders of Group B.

With completely modified tams, Brazil and Paraguay provided an entertaining match in Arequipa, mainly in the first half. The Brazilian team, depleted of Mancini, Juan and Alex, rested by coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, set the early pace, with two fine goal-scoring opportunities on 7 and 9 minutes, by Luis Fabiano and Maicon. Paraguay, with 4 changes to the squad that tied with Chile, hit back soon after. On 13 minutes, Julio dos Santos obliged Julio Cesar to a difficult save. Then, Carlos Paredes hit the crossbar. Paraguay almost scored on 28 minutes, when Julio Cesar denied Fredy Bareiro from point-blank range. After the corner-kick, Julio Gonzalez rose unmarked to head in the opener. Trailing, Brazil moved forward quickly and leveled the tie. On 35 minutes, Kleberson set up Luis Fabiano on the edge of the Box and the striker lashed in a blistering strike to secure a share of the spoils at the break.

In the second half, the match lost momentum as the teams stopped creating opportunities. The substitutions made by both coaches didn¿t influence the rhythm of the game. Nevertheless, Paraguay capitalized on a lightning counter-attack to seal the deal. On 26 minutes, Fredy Bareiro latched on to an Edgar Barreto before nutmegging keeper Julio Cesar. After the goal, Paraguay saw right-back Emilio Martinez sent off for a violent challenge on Gustavo Nery. Despite the extra man, Brazil didn´t have the strength to comeback and lost the match and top stot in Group C.

Brazil: Júlio César, Maicon, Luisão, Cris and Gustavo Nery; Kléberson (Ricardo Oliveira 31/2), Renato, Edu (Dudu Cearense 20/2) and Felipe (Diego 20/2); Luís Fabiano and Adriano. Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira

Paraguay: Diego Barreto, Emilio Martinez, Julio Manzur, Carlos Gamarra and Pedro Benítez; Edgar Barreto, Carlos Paredes, Celso Esquivel and Julio dos Santos (Fabio Escobar 23/2); Fredy Bareiro (Derlis González 31/2) and Julio Gonzalez (Diego Figueredo 19/2). Coach: José Luis Pinto

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

Referee: Gilberto Hidalgo (PER)

Assistant Referees: Winston Reategui (PER) and Dember Perdomo (COL)

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