Football

Gabriel Jesus saves Roberto Firmino's blushes as Brazil reach Copa America semi-finals


Phillippe Coutinho helped fire Brazil into the Copa America semi-final in a penalty shoot-out win over Paraguay – while Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino missed his spot-kick.

Firmino’s blushes were saved by Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus, who fired home the winning penalty to seal the 4-3 shoot-out win.

Brazil needed the shootout to overcome Paraguay after being held to a 0-draw 0 in their quarter-final in Porto Alegre on Thursday.

Jesus held his nerve to fire in the winning kick after Gustavo Gomez and Derlis Gonzalez had missed for the visitors, while Roberto Firmino pulled his spot-kick wide for the hosts.

Marquinhos also scored for Brazil, while Paraguay’s shoot-out scorers were Miguel Almiron, Bruno Valdez and Juan Rodrigo Rojas.

Gabriel Jesus celebrates after firing the winning penalty

Chelsea winger Willian was on target with his spot-kick, as was former Liverpool ace Coutinho – who has been linked with a move from Barcelona back to the Premier League this summer.

Brazil will face the winner of Friday’s quarter-final between Argentina and Venezuela in Belo Horizonte next Tuesday.

Brazil dominated most of the game, especially after Paraguay’s Fabian Balbuena was sent off in the 58th minute for fouling Firmino as he bore down on goal.

Roberto Firmino reacts after missing his penalty

Philippe Coutinho made no mistake from the spot

The home side laid siege to the Paraguayan goal without joy, Willian hitting the post in the last minute and Everton seeing a shot deflected over the bar.

In the other two quarter-finals, Colombia play Chile and Uruguay take on Peru.

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