MATCH 21 REPORT : URUGUAY DEFEAT PARAGUAY AND ADVANCE TO THE SEMIFINAL

The surprise-package in the first phase of Copa America, Paraguay were unable to repeat the form they displayed in the previous matches and were eliminated by Uruguay in the quarterfinals of Copa America. After opening the score, the Paraguayans allowed the Uruguayans to equalize and reverse the scoring, although they were playing with a man down since the 63rd minute. With the 3-1 win, in Tacna, Uruguay wait for the winner of the clash between Brazil and Mexico to know who they will meet in the semifinals of the competition.

In an exciting and even match, Uruguay tried to avoid leaving gaps behind for the Paraguayans, who are represented by their Under-23 team. Nevertheless, Jorge Fossati´s squad lacked attention in defence and allowed Paraguay to counter-attack with peril. On 13 minutes, Nelson Haedo created the first opportunity, striking near the far post of Viera´s goal. Two minutes on and Edgar Barreto took a free-kick and found Gamarra, who scored the opener. The Paraguayan defender rising unmarked in the 6-yard box to put his name on the scoresheet for the first time in the competition. With the lead, Carlos Jara¿s side reduced the pace and allowed Uruguay to press forward. With Diego Forlan on the left and Carlos Bueno on the right, Fossati´s men found gaps until they drew level. On 38 minutes, Dario Silva supplied the cross to Carlos Bueno, who was brought down by Gamarra inside the box for a penalty, awarded by Argentinean referee Hector Baldassi. Bueno himself stepped up and duly converted to score his third goal in the Copa America. Soon after, on 44 minutes, Diego Forlan squandered a chance in the 6-yard box striking weak, allowing Justo Villar to make the save. From the resulting corner-kick, Carlos Bueno nodded onto the crossbar, almost turning the game around.

In the second half, the match resumed with the same rhythm, as Uruguay took the initiative. However, the Paraguayans came closest to scoring. Cristaldo almost crashing home, on 52 minutes, from a free-kick. Then, on the hour, Haedo shot straight at the Uruguayan keeper from close range. On 63 minutes, Uruguay saw left-back Gustavo Varela sent-off for a violent challenge on Henao. With a man down, Fossati´s team carried on moving forward and found the clincher on the counter. After powering forward, Dario Silva was set up by Javier Delgado before blasting home. The ball taking a deflection on Edgar Barreto before finding Justo Villar´s left corner. Trailing, Paraguay pressed forward with all they had and created fine opportunities, but couldn´t beat keeper Sebastian Viera, voted the best player in the match. On 88 minutes, making the most of another counter-attack, opportunistic striker Dario Silva outpaced Julio Manzur to bag Uruguay´s third and secure his team in the semifinals of Copa America.

Paraguay: Justo Villar, Pedro Benítez, Carlos Gamarra, Julio Manzur and Derlis González (David Villalba 27/2); Edgar Barreto (Julio dos Santos 21/2); Carlos Paredes, Aureliano Torres and Ernesto Cristaldo (Diego Figueredo 15/2); Fredy Bareiro and Nelson Haedo. Coach: Carlos Jara Saguier

Uruguay: Sebastián Viera, Gustavo Varela, Paolo Montero, Alejandro Lago and Darío Rodríguez; Marcelo Sosa, Javier Delgado, Diego Forlán (Diego Perez 24/2) and Cristian Rodriguez (Vicente Sánchez 40/2); Darío Silva and Carlos Bueno (Guillermo Rodriguez 30/2). Coach: Jorge Fossati

Venue: Estádio Modelo (Tacna-PER)

Referee: Héctor Baldassi (ARG)

Assistant Referees: Francisco Rocchio (ARG) e Juan Sulca (PER)

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