It was more difficult than expected, but Brazil has reached the Copa America quarterfinals and has begun to show from that makes it the co-favorite with Argentina to win the South American championship.
Brazil and Paraguay won the last two remaining quarter-final berths on Wednesday. Brazil beat Ecuador 4-2 with two goals each from Neymar and Alexandre Pato at the top of Group B, and Paraguay drew 3-3 with Venezuela. Venezuela had already advanced.
Brazil has won the last two Copa America titles and four in the last five - and will face Paraguay in the weekend quarterfinals. They drew 2-2 in group stage.
Argentina plays Uruguay, Colombia is against Peru and Chile faces Venezuela in the other quarterfinals.
“It was the type of match we needed,” Pato said. “It was like a final to us and we had to win it no matter what. We did it and advanced in first place, which is what we wanted.”
Brazil and Argentina only managed two draws in their first two group matches. But when it counted, Lionel Messi delivered for Argentina—a 3-0 victory on Monday against Costa Rica—and Neymar and Pato stepped up for Brazil to build momentum going into the quarterfinals.
“I like the way he played,” Brazil coach Mano Menezes said of Neymar. “He came back to mark on defense too. It’s important for him to play this role in the national team, too. We have confidence in (the young players) and we know they can continue to improve during the Copa America.”
Argentina has the advantage of playing at home, but it is faces pressure to deliver his first major title since 1993.
Brazil is under less pressure, playing with a mix of youth and experience and to building up for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Brazil finished with five points in Group B, level with Venezuela, but ahead on goal difference. Paraguay, who allowed two late goals to tie the Venezuelans, advanced with three points as one of the two best third-place teams in the three groups.
Chile was the best team in the group stage, but suddenly Brazil and Argentina seem very ready to enter the last eight.
“We played with that will to win,” Pato said. “Everybody expects Brazil to always play a great match but it’s very hard, all teams want to beat Brazil’s national team, and today it wasn’t different. Now it’s time to get back to work. It’s a new Copa America.”
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