No Neymar, no flair, and no Copa America semi-final against Argentina - it was Brazil, but not as we know them.
- Robinho opened the scoring for Brazil after 15 minutes at the Ester Roa Rebolledo Stadium
- Derlis Gonzalez equalised for Paraguay from the penalty spot in the 70th minute
- Paraguay won 4-3 in the penalty shoot-out with Gonzalez scoring the winning kick
- Ramon Diaz's side now have the chance to reach a second successive semi-final
Dunga's side had failed to convince en-route to the last eight and could not build on Robinho's opening goal in Concepcion, eventually losing to Paraguay on penalties, just as they did four years ago.
And the opportunity to reach a second successive final is the least Ramon Diaz's side deserved for a dominant second-half performance.
Derlis Gonzalez wheels away in celebration after booking Paraguay a place in the semi-finals of Copa America
Paraguay players celebrate as they seal a place in the last-four with victory against Brazil in the shoot-out
Brazil players look dejected after the defeat to Paraguay on penalties in the quarter-finals in Concepcion
A Paraguay supporter celebrates as she watches her side clinch a place in the last-four in Chile
Both teams look on as the penalty shoot-out takes place in the Copa America quarter-final on Saturday
Brazil coach Dunga, who was forced to apologise this weekend for comparing the criticism he receives to the persecution of black people, kept faith in the side that beat Venezuela last weekend.
Paraguay rang the changes however with Diaz recalling four players to his starting line-up, including former Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz.
But his side were soon on the back foot as Filipe Luis fed Philippe Coutinho and the Liverpool midfielder's fierce drive from 30 yards was tipped over by Justo Villar.
On Friday night, Colombia had successfully held out against Argentina for 90 minutes, but Paraguay were already showing more adventure with Santa Cruz heading just wide from Julian Benitez's deft chip into the area.
Thiago Silva then had to be alert to stop a cross from Nelson Valdez reaching the former Manchester City striker but it was Brazil who broke the deadlock.
Robinho started the move he would soon finish, feeding Elias who in turn found Dani Alves and the Barcelona full-back's cross was converted with aplomb.
Previous editions of this competition have both launched Robinho's international career and heralded the start of his two-year exile.
Eight years ago, he scored all four of Brazil's goals in the group stage before adding two more to finish as the tournament's top scorer.
He was also named the best player in Venezuela as Argentina were beaten in the final.
But in 2011, he failed to score in any of Brazil's four games as they lost on penalties to Paraguay in the last eight and soon found himself shunned by first Mano Menezes and then Luis Felipe Scolari.
But Dunga's return to the touchline and a successful loan spell at Santos led to another chance and he had been the focal point of Brazil's attack since Neymar's red card
MATCH FACTS
- Brazil (4-2-3-1): Jefferson 7, Alves 7, Silva 5.5, Miranda 7, Filipe Luis 6.5, Fernandinho 6.5, Elias 6.5, Willian 6 (Costa 60, 6), Coutinho 6.5, Robinho 7.5 (Ribiero 87), Firminho 5.5 (Tardelli 69, 6)
- Subs not used: Luiz, Neto, Marquinhos, Geferson, Fabinho, Fred, Casemiro, Grohe
- Goal: Robinho 15
- Booked: Alves, Coutinho
- Paraguay (4-4-2): Villar 6.5, Aguilar 6.5, Da Silva 7.5, B Valdez 6.5, Piris 6.5, Gonzalez 7, V Caceres 7, Aranda 6.5 (Martinez 77), Benitez 6.5 (Romero 84), Santa Cruz 6, N Valdez 7 (Bobadilla 73, 6)
- Subs not used: M Caceres, Samudio, Barrios, Silva, Molinas, Balbuena, Oritogoza, Oscar, Aguilar
- Goal: Gonzalez 72 (pen)
- Booked: P Aguilar, B Valdez, Martinez
- Referee: Andres Cunha (Uruguay)
Robinho celebrates after scoring the opening goal for Brazil in the Copa America clash against Paraguay
Robinho (third left) celebrates after putting the ball into the back of the net to put Brazil ahead in Concepcion
Robinho jumps in the air in celebration as the Brazilians take an early lead within the first 15 minutes of the game
Derlis Gonzalez makes no mistake from the penalty spot to equalise for Paraguay in the second half
Gonzalez (centre) celebrates with his Paraguay team-mates after drawing his side level
Paraguay, stung by the goal, eventually settled back into their rhythm without being unduly troubled.
In fact, Robinho's finish was the only touch in the opposition area by a Brazil player in the first half.
At the other end, Pablo Aguilar could not divert his header clear of imposing centre back Miranda before Nelson Valdez's long-range effort was comfortably saved by Jefferson.
Paraguay began the second half on the ascendancy as Gonzalez tried to curl a free-kick in at the near post only for Jefferson to punch clear before Nelson Valdez headed over when well positioned.
Encouraged, Diaz's side pushed forward and only an alert Jefferson kept out Paulo Da Silva's header from 12 yards.
And having battled back from two goals down against Argentina two weeks ago, Paraguay deservedly levelled with 20 minutes remaining.
Thiago Silva was correctly adjudged to have handled in the area and Gonzalez powered his penalty past Jefferson.
The equaliser forced Brazil to abandon their defensive stance but it was Paraguay who looked more likely to score the winner.
THE PENALTY SHOOTOUT1 Fernandinho - 1-0 Brazil2 Martinez - 1-13 Ribeiro - 1-14 V Caceres - 1-2 Paraguay5 Miranda - 2-26 Bobadilla - 2-3 Paraguay7 Douglas Costa - 2-38 Santa Cruz - 2-39 Coutinho - 3-310 Gonzalez - 3-4 Paraguay
Brazil's Philippe Coutinho (left) holds off the challenge of Paraguay's Eduardo Aranda at the Ester Roa Rebolledo Stadium
Uruguyan referee Andres Cunha gestures towards Robinho during a heated debate between the two sides
Paraguayan Aranda (right) sticks the high boot up in the air as Brazil's Roberto Firmino looks on
Robinho (left) is challenged in the air for the header by Paraguay's Bruno Valdez during the quarter-final clash
Brazil head coach Dunga looks on in frustration from the touchline as his side are knocked out of the tournament
Santa Cruz sent Gonzalez racing down the right wing but having cut inside, his shot was parried by Jefferson.
Indeed, Brazil could only muster long-range efforts from Coutinho and Alves in the closing stages as their challenge petered out.
Santa Cruz's miss from 12 yards gave them hope but it merely delayed the inevitable as well as signalling the start of a Brazilian inquest for the second summer in a row.
Brazilian Dani Alves protests his innocence as referee Cunha shows him the yellow card
Firmino (left) heads the ball as Paraguay defender Pablo Cesar Aguilar looks on in the background
David Luiz (centre) is among the Brazilian substitutes looking on as the national anthem is played
Both teams stand on the pitch and face the stands as the national anthems are played prior to the match
Paraguay and Brazil fans in the stands ahead of kick-off at the Ester Roa Rebolledo Stadium
