Dani Alves and Brazil chase Argentina semi

Brazil resume their Copa America quest on Saturday  (11.30pm CET) at the Ester Roa stadium in Concepción against Paraguay, the side that knocked them out of the competition in 2011.

Barça full back Dani Alves has played all 90 minutes of every game so far in the tournament, and it looks like manager Dunga is set to field the same side that beat Venezuela in the final group match, with just one change (David Luiz for Elias). The expected starting eleven in thus as follows: Jefferson, Alves, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Filipe Luis, Fernandinho, David Luiz, Willian, Coutinho, Robinho and Firmino. Brazil went out to the Paraguayans on penalties after drawing 0-0 at the same stage of the last edition of the Copa America, but that is their only loss in the last eleven meetings between the sides. They also met in the quarter finals of the 1997 Copa America, and that time Brazil won 2-0.

Argentina await

Brazil, who are missing the suspended Neymar Jr, are after a semi-final berth for the first time since 2007, which was also the last time they were crowned South American champions. Meanwhile Paraguay, who have only won the championship once, in 1999, are after a place in the last four for the second time in a row. The winners of tonight’s clash will face Argentina in the final four after Messi, Mascherano and co defeated Colombia in a dramatic penalty shootout on Friday. The other semi-final sees host nation Chile take on Peru.