SANTA CRUZ, June 23: Mexico finally won a penalty shootout as they reached the Copa America semi-finals yesterday while Brazil overcame Paraguay in a disappointing game thanks to two goals by Ronaldo.

Paraguay goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert also inevitably made his mark on the second game, denying Ronaldo a hat-trick when he saved a penalty.

Mexico's last two World Cup campaigns have ended with penalty shoot defeats against Germany in 1986 and Bulgaria in 1994.

On both occasions, Mexico missed two penalties as their players appeared to crack under pressure.

But they won yesterday's shootout against Ecuador 4-3 after the match in Cochabamba, 2,600 metres above sea level, finished 1-1.

Mexico's marksmanship still left much to be desired as they missed two attempts but they were helped by goalkeeper Adolfo Rios who saved three Ecuadorean efforts.

Mexico travel to high-altitude La Paz to face host nation Bolivia in Wednesday's first semi-final.

Ecuador, who held Argentina scoreless and surprisingly beat Paraguay on their way to winning their first round group, made an early breakthrough when captain Luis Capurro, who missed his attempt in the shoot-out, scored from the penalty spot.

Brazil will face Peru on Thursday in the other semi-final.

Ronaldo's killer instinct was the real difference between the sides in an even game where Paraguay created several chances but could not get on the scoresheet.

In the 17th minute, he won the ball off an opponent, used his explosive acceleration to burst away and then fired the ball beyond the helpless Chilavert.

He scored from a similar position in the 34th minute after Denilson slipped a clever pass between the Paraguayan defenders. Paraguay claimed he was offside.

In the second half, Brazil were awarded a penalty when Chilavert was adjudged to have fouled Ronaldo. The furious Paraguayan captain protested so loudly that he was booked but he had the last laugh when he brilliantly saved Ronaldo's shot.

Chilavert had two attempts to score from his trademark free kicks but fired one effort into the defensive wall and blasted his second in the direction of the Andean foothills.

``Brazil won on our errors. They took advantage of our mistakes and scored two goals,'' said Chilavert, who was given a standing ovation by the Bolivian fans in the crowd but was jeered and insulted by the Brazilians.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.