Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar (left) celebrates with teammates after they beat Brazil in the penalty shootout in their quarterfinal at the Copa America in La Plata on Sunday. Jorge Adorno / Reuters

LA PLATA - South America's soccer hierarchy was hit by an Andean tremor as Venezuela stunned Chile 2-1 and Paraguay shocked holder Brazil by eliminating them from the Copa America on Sunday.

Venezuela's stunning 2-1 victory over fancied Chile was the only one of the quarterfinals not to go to extra-time, while two ended in penalty shootouts, Brazil losing 2-0 to Paraguay after Argentina went out against old rivals Uruguay on Saturday.

"It's a historic achievement but our players aren't satisfied with that, they want more, above all because we said we would beat Chile," Venezuela coach Cesar Farias said.

"I'm surprised that after every match that Venezuela have played, every team that we've played against has said that we've played poorly or that we don't deserve anything. Well, that's fine. Let them continue to look down on

The semifinals were left devoid of South America's big two, Brazil and Argentina, who had meet in the two previous finals, both won by the Brazilians, and also Colombia, who had emerged as a title contender until it was upset by Peru on Saturday.

The semi-final line-up has Uruguay, on course for a record 15th title, facing Peru in La Plata on Tuesday and Paraguay against Venezuela in Mendoza.

Peru has been one of the weaker teams in the region for decades, while Venezuela had never been this far before.

Brazil, who drew 2-2 with Paraguay in the group phase, dominated its quarterfinal in La Plata from start to finish.

But the Brazilians, who scored six goals altogether, failed to put away their many chances while Paraguay clung on with dogged defense and a brilliant performance from goalkeeper and captain Justo Villar.

"We worked hard, we were far superior (to Paraguay) and we didn't score a goal which is the most important part of football," Brazil coach Mano Menezes said.

Brazil fluffed its lines badly in the shootout with three penalty misses and one saved by Villar, while Paraguay did enough, converting two of the three they needed to take to go through.

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 07/19/2011 page24)