Brazil Outlasts Paraguay on PKs to Reach Copa America Semifinals

Gabriel Jesus scored the decisive penalty to carry Brazil to the semifinals at Copa America.

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil — Goalkeeper Alisson made a save and Gabriel Jesus scored the decisive penalty as Brazil defeated 10-man Paraguay 4-3 in a penalty shootout to reach the semifinals of the Copa America on Thursday.

Alisson dived to his left to stop the penalty taken by defender Gustavo Gomez, and Gabriel Jesus sealed the victory to lead Brazil to its first semifinal appearance in the South American tournament since 2007.

A calm finish to clinch it from Gabriel Jesus, who earlier missed a chance to give Brazil the win in regulation

(via @ESPNFC) pic.twitter.com/CMwCTqJMNt

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) June 28, 2019

Jesus had a chance to score midway through the second half but his shot went just wide.

Gabriel Jesus drags his shot wide. Brazil is getting closer to breaking the deadlock. pic.twitter.com/n2YxjlsaY8

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 28, 2019

Brazil had been eliminated by Paraguay the last two times the teams met in the Copa America quarterfinals, in 2011 and 2015, both times in penalty shootouts.