da gbg bet： The quarter-finalists of the Copa America has been decided after a goal-filled final group matchday, featuring Brazil’s 4-2 win over Ecuador.Brazil’s return to form and braces to strike duo Neymar and Pato will come as a source of great relief for manager Mano Menezes, though it was not without a scare as Ecuador twice equalised before the reigning champions prevailed.
Earlier, Venezuela goalkeeper Renny Vega played his part in his country’s 3-3 draw with Paraguay, crucially heading on a corner in the dying seconds to set up the dramatic equaliser.
Both Venezuela and Paraguay qualified for the final eight from Group B, but it was Brazil’s breaking of the shackles at Cordoba’s Estadio Mario Alberton Kempes that will cause the biggest ripple effect around the tournament.
Brazil’s win helped them to first place the group, setting up a quarter-final match with Paraguay.
Pato got the scoring underway in the 28th minute with his bullet header from full-back Andre Santos’ superb cross, but Ecuador capitalised on some poor defending to pull level just nine minutes later.
Brazil failed to deal with a bouncing ball in their defence, and goalkeeper Julio Cesar then somehow allowed Felipe Caicedo’s shot to squirm underneath him.
Neymar restored the one-goal advantage after a well-worked move involving Ganso, but Caicedo replied once more for Ecuador after turning neatly and again guiding a shot under Julio Cesar.
Pato bundled home two minutes later to settle Brazil’s nerves, and Neymar made the result safe on 72 minutes.
Earlier – and with Venezuela’s quarter-final spot already assured – Paraguay had seemed destined for their first win of the tournament after leading 3-1 in extra time at Salta’s Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena.
But that changed when substitute striker Miku pulled one back in the 90th minute, with Venezuela desperately pushing forward and winning a corner as the seconds dwindled away.
Vega charged forward to contest the corner, and succeeded in nodding the ball on for defender Grenddy Perozo to score a dramatic equaliser in the last piece action of the game.
It sparked wild scenes of celebrations for Venezuela and Vega, while Paraguay’s players looked about in disbelief.
Paraguay had cancelled out Mikel Rondon’s well-hit opener through Antolin Alcaraz’s 33rd-minute goal, after Lucas Barrios’ header had created confusion in the penalty area.
Paraguay took the lead shortly after the hour mark when Barrios scored from point-blank range after a shot from Nelson Haedo Valdez – a substitute after Roque Santa Cruz went off injured – had been well blocked by Vega.
They seemingly put the game to bed when Cristian Riveros nodded in a corner at the near post on 86 minutes, but Venezuela forged a tremendous finale to the match by refusing to lie down.
On Sunday, Venezuela will take on Chile in the quarter-finals in San Juan, while Brazil face Paraguay for the second time in the competition – this time in La Plata.
Hosts Argentina clash with Uruguay in Santa Fe in Saturday’s second match, with Colombia and Peru to meet earlier in Cordoba.