Paraguay 1 - Venezuela 1

San Cristobal was the site for Venezuela's final qualifying match, a home date with Paraguay.  Venezuela needed to win and have Uruguay lose their final two games while making up a seven-goal differential.  Therefore, Venezuela sent out an ultra-aggressive lineup with right back Alex Gonzalez in reality playing as a third winger.  Venezuela were always on the front foot, but the Paraguayan defense was stout throughout the match.  Just before the half hour mark, a Victor Ayala driven pass found Edgar Benitez inside the Venezuelan penalty area.  Benitez shook off the mark of Gonzalez to get open for the shot that resulted in the opener for Paraguay.  A Juan Arango (pictured, burgundy, left) free kick was parried aside by the sure-handed dive of Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar.

The young Venezuelan attacking trio of Romulo Otero, Josef Martinez, and Yohandry Orozco were a force in the second half.  Otero burst through the center of the pitch before laying off for Roberto Rosales, but Rosales's hard shot was parried to safety by the diving hands of Villar.  Luis Manuel Seijas was the man to finally equalize for La Vinotinto, who certainly deserved more than a draw out of this match the way they were playing.  Seijas drilled a ball from the top of the box as he clanked his shot in off the far post.  However, the footballing gods were not merciful to the home side on this day.  The match ends as a 1-1 draw, eliminating Venezuela from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Goals
Paraguay
Edgar Benitez 28

Venezuela
Luis Seijas 83

Match Reports:
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/10/11/4829074/venezuela-vs-paraguay-final-score

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTJqt1DPXa0