Paraguay 3-3 Venezuela
Two late goals earned Venezuela a point against Paraguay in a dramatic Group B encounter in Salta which saw both teams advance to the Copa America quarter-finals.
Venezuela never gave up, though, despite knowing their quarter-final place was already assured. Substitute Miku reduced the deficit in the 89th minute and then Grenddy Perozo headed home a stoppage-time equaliser. Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino had viewed the match as a must-win encounter for his side but they could hardly have got off to a worse start at the Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena. Malaga forward Rondon took full advantage after Nestor Ortigoza was caught in possession, rifling a 20-yard shot past Justo Villar with less than five minutes on the clock. Teenager Alexander Gonzalez should have doubled his side's advantage on the half-hour mark when he was played in on the right-hand side of the penalty area, but skewed his shot horribly wide. Three minutes later, Paraguay were level. Barrios' looping header from Aureliano Torres' free-kick was somehow kept out by a combination of post and goalkeeper Renny Vega, but the Venezuela defence were unable to clear the danger and Alcaraz lashed home a scrappy equaliser. Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz was replaced by Haedo Valdez three minutes before the break, and the substitute made a key contribution to his side's second goal after 62 minutes. Vega made a smart save after Valdez had done well to get his shot away following a corner, but Barrios was in the right place to divert the ball into the net. Paraguay looked to have put the result beyond doubt when Riveros flicked a neat header past Vega at the near post in the 84th minute. However, Miku's deflected strike a minute from time gave Venezuela hope and, from the final attack of the game, goalkeeper Vega went up for a corner and provided the assist for Perozo to head in the equaliser.