South America's soccer hierarchy was hit by an Andean tremor as Venezuela stunned Chile 2-1 and Paraguay shocked holder Brazil by eliminating them from the Copa America Sunday. Venezuela's stunning 2-1 victory over fancied Chile was the only one of the quarterfinals not to go to extra time, while two ended in penalty shootouts, Brazil losing 2-0 to Paraguay after Argentina went out against old rival Uruguay Saturday. The semifinals were left devoid of South America's big two, Brazil and Argentina, who had meet in the two previous finals both won by the Brazilians, and also Colombia, which had emerged as title contender until it was upset by Peru Saturday. The semifinal line-up has Uruguay, on course for a record 15th title, facing Peru in La Plata Tuesday and Paraguay against Venezuela in Mendoza. Peru has been one of the weaker teams in the region for decades, while Venezuela had never been this far before. Brazil, which drew 2-2 with Paraguay in the group phase, dominated its quarterfinal in La Plata from start to finish. But the Brazilians, who scored six goals altogether, failed to put away their many chances while Paraguay clung on with dogged defense and a brilliant performance from goalkeeper and captain Justo Villar. “We worked hard, we were far superior (to Paraguay) and we didn't score a goal which is the most important part of football,” Brazil coach Mano Menezes said. Brazil fluffed its lines badly in the shootout with three penalty misses and one saved by Villar, while Paraguay did enough converting two of the three it needed to take to go through. “Brazil should have won, probably in the 90 minutes,” Paraguay's Argentine coach Gerardo Martino said. Neymar and Alexandre Pato, who scored two apiece in the 4-2 win over Ecuador, missed chances and Villar saved from defenders Maicon and Lucio and playmaker Paulo Henrique Ganso. Brazil's Lucas Leiva and Antolin Alcaraz of Paraguay were sent off for fighting near the end of extra time. In San Juan, where Chile enjoyed virtual home advantage just across the Andean border from home, center back Oswaldo Vizcarrondo put Venezuela ahead with a header from a Juan Arango free kick and Humberto Suazo equalized with 20 minutes left. Venezuela's left back Gabriel Cichero scored the winning goal nine minutes from time, stabbing home after keeper Claudio Bravo parried another Arango free kick. __
