Considering the European pedigree of the two sides, the match was perhaps not as big a […]
At first glance, it doesn’t really make sense how Gerardo Martino has ended up at Barcelona. […]
Going into the final, Uruguay were undoubtably favourites, but Paraguay boring their way to a penalty shoot-out win was looking all too inevitable based on the rest of the tournament. Thankfully, the game was entertaining and Uruguay deservedly won their 15th Copa America.
Once again, Paraguay get a repeat of their group stages. First time out against Brazil, they had had the better of the game; in the quarter final, they had lucked out to get through on penalties. First time out against Venezuela, they had been frustrated by their opponents, getting ahead through set-pieces then conceding late on from one themselves; this time, they improved on their initial performance, but still had to wait for panlties.
Eight days before, Paraguay had outplayed Brazil only for a late goal from Fred to rescue the Selecao a point. However, only one side could get out of this quarter final with anything, and that team was Paraguay.
With usual whipping boys Venezuela already through, the game looked fairly well set up for Paraguay to get an easy win to guarantee their progress to the quarter-finals - one needed with a wounded Brazil desperate for a win later against Ecuador. A goal from Salomon Rondon four minutes in suggested we probably shouldn't make assumptions.
For the third night in a row, we have the glamour tie of one of the Copa America's groups. This time we head to Group B for Mano Menezes' Brazil against Gerardo Martino's Paraguay.
The game had looked the least appetising of the opening four matches, but ended up being the most entertaining of the Copa America so far.
