FOOTBALL
Peru 3-3 Paraguay (4-3 pens): Trauco settles incredible Copa tie as 2019 runners-up book semi-final spot
Peru became the first side to book their place in the Copa America semi-finals after beating Paraguay on penalties in a dramatic tie that finished 3-3 following normal time and saw both teams receive red cards.
Ricardo Gareca's Peru recovered from a goal down thanks to Gianluca Lapadula's first-half double at Estadio Olimpico Pedro Ludovico, where Gustavo Gomez had given Paraguay an early lead on Friday.
Paraguay lost captain Gomez to a controversial second bookable offence just before half-time yet hit back through Junior Alonso's strike early in the second half.
Advertisement
Yoshimar Yotun appeared to have won the game for 2019 runners-up Peru with a deflected goal 10 minutes from time, but Andre Carrillo was also dismissed and substitute Gabriel Avalos levelled up in the final seconds to send the contest to penalties.
¡CLASIFICADO! @SeleccionPeru ya está en semifinales de la CONMEBOL #CopaAmérica #VibraElContinente pic.twitter.com/EIypOAJLGQ— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) July 2, 2021
Following the script of the previous 90 minutes, the shoot-out was equally as eventful as four players failed to convert from 12 yards, but the drama was ended when Miguel Trauco tucked away the decisive spot-kick to set up a semi-final with defending champions Brazil or two-time winners Chile.
Must-Watch Video