Paraguay 3-3 Venezuela: Gerardo Martino's side scrape into quarter-finals despite thrilling capitulation

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An incredible turn of events in Salta saw Venezuela appear to be all but beaten against Paraguay, but a heroic comeback saw them salvage a 3-3 draw.

Venezuela, fresh off the back of a draw against holders Brazil and a narrow victory over Ecuador, knew that their participation in the quarter-finals was assured, while Paraguay knew a point would guarantee their place in the knock-out stages.

Paraguay looked to have settled into possession the quicker of the two, but it was Venezuela who took the lead. Salomon Rondon took control of the ball after some sloppy passing among the Paraguayan defence, and blasted a powerful shot from 20 yards which flew past a hapless Justo Villar. It was their first attack of the game, and it ended emphatically.

Despite the Paraguayan dominance in possession, they were living precariously. Alexander Gonzalez defied the offside trap to receive the ball in the box, but scuffed his shot wide. The youngster was soon made to pay for his mistake.

Aureliano Torres put in a good delivery from a set piece, which Barrios headed on to the Venezuela post. A game of pinball ensued in the box, and Gabriel Cichero, usually a reliable force in defence, gifted the ball to Antolin Alcaraz, who finished with aplomb to get his side on level terms.

Finally, 20 minutes into the second period, Paraguay began to turn the screw. Nelson Valdez curled a shot wide from the edge of the box, while he also set up Barrios, but a great match-saving tackle from Oswaldo Vizcarrondo kept his side on level terms.

From the resulting corner, however, Paraguay took the lead. Venezuela failed to clear their lines, and the ball fell to Valdez, who fired in a hasty shot. Vega parried the ball brilliantly, but Lucas Barrios was left with the most straight-forward of tap-ins to put his side ahead.

Not to be beaten, Venezuela redoubled their efforts following Barrios’ goal. They were almost gifted an equaliser after some unsure goalkeeping from Villar gifted Juan Arango a shot on goal, but the ball only went as far as Christian Riveros, who blocked the strike. Replays showed it struck him on the arm, but a penalty would have been a cruel decision.

After a series of Arango set pieces which Paraguay defended comfortably, Giancarlo Maldonado decided to try his luck from distance. Vega parried his right-footed drive, but there was no Venezuela player to show the instinct Barrios and Alcaraz showed for their opponents.

The contest seemed to be all over after another set piece. Torres swung the ball in from the right hand side, and Riveros was there to beat Rincon at the near post and make it 3-1.

Miku, seizing upon defensive apprehension to finish via a deflection off Torres to give his side hope, and minutes later the dream was complete. Renny Vega went forward for a corner, and was able to flick the ball on to Grenddy Perozo who seized his opportunity to salvage a draw.

The thrilling draw sees both sides progress to the quarter-finals.