Copa America: Dempsey downs Paraguay

The United States battled into the Copa America Centenario quarter-finals here after a Clint Dempsey goal clinched a 1-0 win over Paraguay.

Dempsey shot the hosts into the lead on 27 minutes at Lincoln Financial Field to guarantee them a place in the last eight from Group A along with Colombia, who play Costa Rica later Saturday.

But Jurgen Klinsmann's side were made to sweat through a nerve-jangling second half after DeAndre Yedlin's rash dismissal left the hosts playing with 10 men for more than 40 minutes.

Paraguay spent long periods in the US half but a backs-to-the-wall defensive display from the Americans saw them hang on for a gritty win.

The victory left the United States on top of Group A, level with Colombia on six points and the same goal difference but leading on goals scored.

The defeat se-aled Paraguay’s worst Copa America display since 2001, the last time they failed to progress beyond the group stage.

Klinsmann fielded the same starting line-up for the third match running, setting up his side in a conventional 4-4-2 with Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones in the center of midfield shielding the back four.

A confident US opening period saw the hosts probe forward aggressively, although their first shot came from a setpiece, Fabian Johnson curling a free-kick over the wall in the sixth minute.

American adventure almost proved costly in the 11th minute however as Paraguay launched a swift counter-attack to set up a three-on-one scoring opportunity.

Costa Rica upset Colombia 3-2 Johan Venegas and Celso Borges each scored and Costa Rica benefited from an own goal by Colombia in a 3-2 upset victory to wrap up Group A play in the Copa America.

Results: USA 1 (Clint Dempsey 27’) bt Paraguay 0. Costa Rica 3 (J. Venegas 2, F. Fabra (OG 34), C. Borges 58) bt Colombia 2 (F. Fabra 6, M. Moreno 73).