Uruguay and Paraguay draw, both advance to Copa America's KO round
Uruguay failed to convert a host of chances as they were held by Paraguay, but a 1-1 draw was enough to see them into the quarter-finals of the Copa America. A rematch of the 2011 final was played out in rather different circumstances to the meeting four years ago with Paraguay sure of progression before kick-off and defending champions Uruguay needing a draw to be sure.
They looked good for more than a point when Jose Maria Gimenez headed them in front during a dominant spell, but Lucas Barrios pegged them back before the break and they could not find a winner. There were few chances in the opening half an hour but the tackling indicated it was anything but cagey, with Abel Hernandez and Nestor Ortigoza both booked inside the first 10 minutes for over-zealous challenges.
Paraguay had the best early chance to take the lead but Barrios headed wide from close range in the 12th minute. With so few chances coming, it seemed inevitable set-pieces were the best bet for a goal, and so it proved as Gimenez headed Uruguay in front from a corner just before the half-hour mark.
He timed his run perfectly to power the ball down and into the net via a brush off the post. It was the start of a spell which suggested Uruguay could end up winning with ease. Diego Rolan's searching ball looked perfect as Sebastian Coates sprang to beat the offside trap, but he mistimed his jump and the chance went begging. Gimenez then sent a low, powerful header towards goal but Justo Villar parried it clear before Edinson Cavani poked wide when unmarked in front of goal.
They would live to regret their profligacy as Barrios met Edgar Benitez's corner powerfully at the near post just before the break. Uruguay emerged from the break with fresh determination to get back in front, but Cavani headed wide from Maxi Pereira's cross before substitute Christian Stuani also missed the target from Alvaro Pereira's floated ball.
A long throw found its way through to Cavani at the back post in the 67th minute, but though he got plenty of power on his off-balance volley, Villar's strong hands got the ball away.
Injuries disrupted Paraguay as Nestor Ortigoza appeared to pull a hamstring before Barrios also limped off, replaced by the veteran Roque Santa Cruz. That helped Uruguay continue to dominate possession but they struggled to turn that into clear chances, and at the death it was Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera who had to be alert, diving low to keep out Derlis Gonzalez's powerful shot.
