BUENOS AIRES:First it was Argentina, now Brazil has been eliminated from a surprising Copa America tournament.
Brazil lost to Paraguay on penalties in the quarterfinals on Sunday, meaning the tournament will finish without South America’s two most important national teams. Host Argentina was knocked out Saturday after losing to Uruguay, also in a penalty shootout.
The semifinals will pit Uruguay against Peru and Paraguay against Venezuela, which advanced to the semifinals for the first time in its history by beating Chile 2-1.
There will be a new South American champion for the first time in at least 16 years. Uruguay won the 1995 tournament at home, and since then Brazil won four titles and Colombia one—at home in 2001.
The Copa America winner will automatically earn a spot in the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil.
Brazil outplayed Paraguay from the start but was not able to capitalize on its scoring opportunities, thanks mostly to a great performance by goalkeeper Justo Villar.
Villar stopped defender Thiago Silva’s shot in the shootout and Elano, Andre Santos and Fred also missed for Brazil, giving the Paraguayans a 2-0 victory. Marcelo Estigarribia and Christian Riveros scored to help Paraguay reach the final four for the first time since 1989.
“Brazil should’ve won after 90 minutes,” Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino said. “Sometimes we get these results.
“We played entirely differently from how we wanted to play.”
Paraguay will play in the semifinals, despite not having any victories in its four matches so far. It’s only shot on goal Sunday didn’t come until the 88th minute. Brazil, meanwhile, had several clear scoring chances throughout the match in La Plata.
In San Juan, Venezuela continued its surprising run by eliminating Chile, which had been playing well and was considered a title favorite.
Venezuela completed a weekend of Copa America shocks by reaching the semi-finals for the first time in their history with a gutsy 2-1 win over fancied Chile.
Oswaldo Vizcarrondo opened the scoring in the 35th minute and Gabriel Cichero scored the winner in the 81st. Chile scored with Humberto Suazo in the 70th.
Both teams finished with 10 players after Chile’s Gary Medel was sent off for his second yellow card in the 83rd and Venezuela’s Tomas Rincon was shown a red card in second-half injury time
The giant-killers will now go up against a Paraguay side which sent holders Brazil packing after a penalty shootout success at La Plata outside Buenos Aires.
The shockwaves of Venezuelan victory reached as far as Cuba, where joyous Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, preparing for chemotherapy on the Communist island, sent out his customary congratulatory tweet.
“Glory to the brave people! Let’s pay supreme tribute to our boys from the Glorious Vinotinto (the team nickname),” Chavez tweeted.
Meanwhile Chile coach Claudio Borghi was visibly upset.
“I am leaving sad,” he said. “But I don’t feel cheated. Unfortunately, we were not able to meet all the expectations people had.” (Agencies)