Brazil vs Paraguay 27.6.2019
Quarterfinal match today on 27 June 2019.
Top-ranked side Brazil (FIFA rank: #3) scored a tournament-high of eight group stage goals to practically sail here. Even more impressively, the hosts are also yet to concede a single goal in this year’s Copa América (CA) and are now unbeaten in 13 matches overall (W11, D2) conceding just twice in that sequence.
Ten of Brazil’s 11 victories in that sequence have come without reply from the opposition, and it has been almost two years since they last gave up a goal to a fellow CONMEBOL side (Colombia). Overall, Brazil has not conceded a goal in their last 754 minutes of play vs CONMEBOL sides.
The odds are firmly against the visiting side then, especially with Paraguay winning just one of their last 11 matches (W1, D4, L6) doing so against lowly Guatemala (FIFA rank: #145). Moreover, the visitors have lost six of their last seven games against higher-ranked nations since (D1, L6), if excluding any extra time.
Intriguingly though, Paraguay has eliminated Brazil on penalties at this stage in two of the last three CA campaigns. In relation to this, four of Paraguay’s last five competitive H2Hs against Brazil have been level after 90 minutes.
Players to watch: Brazil’s Phillipe Coutinho has been involved in three of his nation’s eight goals at CA 2019 (two goals, one assist). He notably scored a second-half brace on an opening day.
Newcastle star Miguel Almiron has assisted two of Paraguay’s three CA goals in this campaign, although he has not found the net himself since last November.
Stat attack: Brazil coach Tite won his only prior encounter vs Paraguay 3-0, with his side scoring in both halves.
Four of Brazil’s last five wins have seen them score precisely three times in one half.
Both teams have scored in six of Paraguay’s last nine matches across all competitions.
Match Information
Referee: Tobar Vargas R. (Chi),
Venue: Arena do Grêmio (Porto Alegre)