Paraguay and Derlis Gonzalez Merit Copa America Win over Brazil, Argentina Semi

Derlis Gonzalez was the man to send Paraguay's Copa America quarter-final against Brazil to penalties, and 30 minutes later, he was the man to fire them into the semis.

The FC Basel forward stepped up in the 72nd minute after Thiago Silva stretched out his hand and needlessly touched the ball in his own area to give Paraguay a lifeline back into the game.

The Paraguayan dispatched the penalty low and hard beyond the outstretched arm of Jefferson and into the bottom left corner.

It leveled the score to 1-1, and there they remained until referee Andres Cunha blew for full time and a penalty shoot-out.

Brazil missed four penalties against Paraguay in another shoot-out in the 2011 quarter-finals, with their unfancied opponents eventually making their way to final.

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Brazil were more accurate this time, but only just. Everton Ribeiro rolled one wide of the right-hand post before Douglas Costa spooned his over the crossbar.

Roque Santa Cruz followed suit for Paraguay, but Gonzalez kept his cool to send Jefferson the wrong way and La Albirroja through to face Argentina on Wednesday.

This will be a rematch for the two sides that began their 2015 Copa America campaign with a 2-2 draw at La Serena's Estadio La Portada. Paraguay manager Ramon Diaz's side executed a heroic comeback from two goals down in that game after Nelson Valdez scored a spectacular goal from long distance. Lucas Barrios scored a last-gasp goal to earn the second point.

That finish left Lionel Messi raging, with the Barcelona star unwilling to collect a richly-deserved man of the match award after the game, per The Mirror.

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Gonzalez was a threat in that game, with some crosses from the right wreaking havoc in the Argentina penalty area during the second half. He was also a dangerous presence against Jamaica, in a game which they won 1-0 to all but secure qualification from Group B.

Gonzalez was an important influence in the game against Brazil in this quarter-final clash, even aside from his successful penalty contributions. Called 'Speedy Gonzalez' in some quarters, he hasn't had the chance at times in this tournament to display all of his skills, including his excellent finishing.

Natacha Pisarenko/Associated Press/Associated Press

Argentina will be a tougher test than Dunga's dull Brazil squad—with the exception of Neymar. But Tata Martino's Albiceleste haven't built up a lot of steam since and were unable to puncture Colombia's defence in the quarter-final, also relying on penalties to get through.

Despite having Messi, the best player in the world, Argentina have only been able to score four goals in four games in the Copa America.

Although Chile v. Argentina is the final match many have dreamed of since the groups were drawn, Paraguay will feel they have a fair shot at reaching the final—like they did in 2011—without winning a game.