Brazil will not underestimate Paraguay – Willian

Felix Mendoza 12:26 27/06/2015
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  • Wary of Paraguay: Brazil and Chelsea winger Willian.

    Brazil are aiming to ensure history does not repeat itself when they take on Paraguay for a place in the semi-finals tonight.

    The two countries are meeting at the quarter-final stage for the second successive time, and it was Paraguay who emerged victorious last time out thanks to a penalty shootout success in La Plata in the 2011.

    That result was no fluke either, as Paraguay were moments away from beating Brazil in the group stage of the same tournament only for Fred to net an 89th-minute equaliser for the five-time world champions.

    With those games in mind, Brazil know better than to underestimate Paraguay, and winger Willian is putting little stock in the fact his side are considered favourites. Willian said: “Paraguay are a tough and competitive opponent.

    “They fight all the time, for 90 minutes, and we know what it’s like to play against that kind of side.

    “During the last Copa America, we were eliminated by them. I hope it will be different this time.

    “It is always difficult to say who is going to get through. Today, football is very even. It is not easy to say, ‘that team is favourite’, like it used to be. The other national squads have improved a lot. There is always a surprise.”

    Paraguay secured their place in the last eight with a second-placed finish in Group B behind Argentina, with five points from three games.

    Despite their success against Brazil four years ago, Paraguay coach Ramon Diaz knows just how hard it will be to overcome a side that have won the Copa America in four of the last six editions.

    Diaz said: “Brazil are always powerful and they proved that in the last 10 games, where they’ve lost only once. (But) this is Paraguay’s moment. We are two games away from earning a place in the history books, and that’s not something that happens every year.”

    Meanwhile, Paolo Guerrero scored a hat trick as Peru swept aside Bolivia 3-1 to set up a semifinal showdown with Chile.

    Flamengo forward Guerrero pounced in the 20th and 23rd minutes to snuff out Bolivia’s campaign.

    The 31-year-old completed his hat trick in the 74th minute, strolling clear of the Bolivian defense to finish nonchalantly. Marcelo Martins scored a late consolation from the penalty spot for Bolivia.

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