Copa America 
/ Michael Lintorn / 21 July 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Oscar Tabarez's continues to prove a positive influence on his Uruguay side
"Paraguay have shown twice in Argentina and once at the World Cup that they have the nerves of steel required when it comes to shootouts, converting 12 of their 13 penalties."
It has been a tournament littered with shocks, yet with two teams left, Uruguay are firm favourites to take the trophy. Michael Lintorn looks at whether that status is justified...
Without actually performing that well, Paraguay have reached the Copa America Final undefeated. But despite proving extremely difficult to beat, with Brazil twice failing to find a way past them, they are [3.0] outsiders to be crowned champions.
The reason for that is the huge amount of faith that punters have in Uruguay, the best performing South American nation at last summer's World Cup, who are [1.49] favourites to be the last ones standing once again, and have been responsible for 79 per cent of the money traded in the market.
Uruguay tick all the boxes when it comes to potential winners. They have the superior historical record in the competition having claimed 14 titles to Paraguay's two, the last of which was earned 32 years ago.
In addition, they have been the more impressive of the two in the latest edition, albeit having only won two of their five games in normal time, which is why they are above-evens at [2.08] to triumph in 90 minutes. All five of Paraguay's matches have finished level.
That is the main concern when it comes to backing Oscar Tabarez's side to get their hands on the trophy, especially as Paraguay have shown twice in Argentina and once at the World Cup that they have the nerves of steel required when it comes to shootouts, converting 12 of their 13 penalties.
However, while Gerardo Martino's men are yet to lose, they have faced just one other country ranked among South America's seven finest by FIFA, an out-of-form Brazil. By contrast, they have ended three of their last four meetings with Uruguay empty-handed.
Diego Forlan did the damage in their last clash but Luis Suarez will be desperate to be the difference-maker this time as he bids to pull clear of eliminated joint-top goalscorer Sergio Aguero. The Liverpool forward is the [1.25] frontrunner in that market.
A post-match scrap overshadowed the action on the pitch as Paraguay earned a place in Sunday's final against Uruguay by defeating Venezuela on penalties....
Having gone one step further than they did at last summer's World Cup, Uruguay have one hand on the Copa America trophy, with Luis Suarez the favourite to be top goal-getter....
These two have reached the semi-finals against the odds - and the upsets look set to continue when they meet in the semi-final on Wednesday night, writes James Eastham....
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