Brazil vs. Paraguay Quarterfinal 2015 Copa America QF-4

Four years on from their elimination at the hands of Paraguay in the 2011 Copa America, Brazil have the opportunity to exact some revenge. But there are some stark similarities between each team in 2015 as they bid to book a place in the semi-finals.

Again, as was the case four years ago, Paraguay have been determined and diligent in their play. While Brazil, on the back of a disappointing performance at the World Cup, are in a period of transition and struggling to showcase the swagger that’s become this fanatical nation’s footballing trademark.

Indeed, it’s been a tough tournament for the Selecao. Neymar’s crazy loss of temper saw him banned for the remainder of the competition and although Brazil were able to grind out a win against Venezuela in their final group game to secure qualification, it remains to be seen how they’ll cope without their influential captain in the long run.

History suggests, think back to how a Neymar-less Brazil played against Germany in that infamous semi-final last summer, not well. And although Paraguay weren’t one of the most fancied teams at this tournament, they acquitted themselves very well in a difficult Group B, emerging undefeated from matches against Argentina and Uruguay.

With the memories of their win over Brazil in 2011 and a subsequent run to the semi-finals still prominent in the minds of a lot of these Paraguay players, they’ll feel as though they’ve got a great chance of dumping the Dunga’s side out of the competition again.