In the penalty shoot-out, Paraguay beats Venezuela and reaches the final

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• Champion in 1953 and 1979, the Paraguayans won another penalty shoot-out (just passed by Brazil in the quarters), and now decide the South American tournament against Uruguay on Sunday. After the 0-0 in normal time and in the overtime, Paraguay had the major phase of the goalkeeper Justo Villar to overcome Venezuela, which played better in the shoot-out, winning by5-3. To reach the final, Paraguay ended up having to handle the pressure of Venezuela, especially during the extra time.
  In the first half, both teams had a portable game with few clear chances to score. Paraguay was the first to press, with defender Veron, who headed to good save of Renny Vega. Shortly after, at 21, it was time for Nelson Haedo miss a good chance. After great pass from Lucas Barrios, Haedo invaded the area, but shot badly.
  After that, it was only about Venezuela. At 31 minutes, Vizcarrondo head to score but the referee annulled, marking offside. At 45 minutes, it was the turn of Rondon almost score, but the ball landed in the hands of the goalkeeper Justo Villar.
  In the second step, the two teams returned worst and created few real chances on goal. Teams who staged one of the most exciting games of the Copa America in the first phase (tied by 3-3), Paraguay and Venezuela owned to the public in the semifinal, at least in the regular time.
  Thus, the match ended 0-0 and went to the overtime. Venezuela imposed itself and pressed almost the whole time the Paraguay squad. Once the three minutes of the first half of extra time, Maldonado invaded the area and Mike shot into the bar. Shortly thereafter, on free kick from Juan Arango, the selection Vinotinto stamped again the bar of Justo Villar, the best in the field of Paraguay, as well as in the game against Brazil.
  At 12 minutes into the first period of extra time, Paraguay lost the midfielder Jonathan Santana, who received a red card. With one player less, the country tried to defend himself in the second stage of the extension, taking the match to penalties.
  With five draws in five games, Paraguay won another penalty shoot-out had beaten Brazil in the quarterfinals) and is secured in the decision of the Copa America with an unprecedented campaign with no wins. Next Sunday, July 24, the Paraguayan team will face Uruguay on the final of the 2011 Copa America in Argentina, at the Monumental de Nuñez stadium, 4pm (7pm GMT). As for Venezuela, will fight for unprecedented third place against Peru, on Saturday, in the stadium Unico de La Plata.
  
  PARAGUAY (5) 0 X 0 (3) VENEZUELA
  Stadium: Stadium Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza, Argentina; Referee: Francisco Chacón (MEX); Yellow Card: Jonathan Santana (78’), Dário Veron (107’) (Paraguay); Roberto Rosales (55’) (Venezuela); Red Card: Jonathan Santana (102’) (Paraguay).
  PARAGUAY: 1- Justo Villar, 6- Marcos Cáceres, 2- Dário Veron, 14- Paulo da Silva, 3- Iván Piris, 8- Édgar Barreto (21- Marcelo Estigarribia, 70’), 16- Cristian Riveros, 20- Néstor Ortigoza, 11- Jonathan Santana, 18- Haedo Valdez(9- Roque Santa Cruz, 74’) (10- Osvaldo Martinez, 80’) and 19- Lucas Barrios. Coach: Gerardo Martino.
  Penalty Shootout: Néstor Ortigoza (goal), Lucas Barrios (goal), Cristian Riveros (goal), Osvaldo Martinez (goal) and Dário Veron (goal).
  
  VENEZUELA: 1- Renny Vega, 16- Roberto Rosales, 4- Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, 20- Grenddy Perozo (3- José Manuel Rey, 46’), 6- Gabriel Cichero, 5- Giacomo di Giorgi, 14- Franklin Lucena, 11- César Eduardo González (9- Giancarlo Maldonado, 84’), 18- Juan Arango, 23- Salomón Rondón and 9- Alejandro Moreno (Miku, 72’). Coach: César Farías.
  Penalty Shootout: Giancarlo Maldonado (goal), José Manuel Rey (goal), Franklin Lucena (missed) and Miku (goal)
  
  Source: ca2011.com