Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker was the hero as Brazil beat Paraguay 4-3 on penalties to progress to the Copa America semi-finals on Thursday.
Alisson dived to his left to stop the initial penalty by defender Gustavo Gomez, and Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus sealed the victory to keep Brazil on track for their first Copa America title since 2007.
Brazil will next face either Venezuela or rivals Argentina, who play on Friday in Rio de Janeiro.
Brazil had lost to Paraguay the last two times the teams met in the Copa America quarter-finals, in 2011 and 2015, both times in penalty shootouts.
Derlis Gonzalez also missed from the spot for Paraguay, while Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino failed to score for Brazil, with both players sent their shots wide.
Gonzalez, who missed a penalty in Paraguay's 1-1 draw against Argentina in the group stage, had scored the decisive goal in the 2015 shootout. He was one of the five players back from that team that eliminated Brazil.
Brazil controlled possession but struggled to create goal scoring opportunities against Paraguay's solid defensive system.
The visitors had one of the best chances of the first half when Gonzalez's close-range shot was saved by Alisson.
Brazil pressed after Balbuena was sent off, but couldn't capitalise on their many opportunities. Jesus, Coutinho, Everton, and Firmino all missed great chances in front of the goal.
Fernandez made a great reflex save to keep out a close-range header by Alex Sandro near the end of the match, and in the 90th minute, Fernandez could only watch as a low shot by Willian struck the post.
Brazil coach Tite said the pitch did not help Brazil. "It's absurd to have to play on a field where it's difficult to exchange passes," he said.
Despite reaching the semi-finals in 2015 and finishing second in 2011, Paraguay has won only one of their last 21 matches in the Copa America, taking advantage of penalty shootouts to advance.
Paraguay reached the last eight this year with only two points, finishing as one of the two best third-place teams from the three groups.
Eight-time South American champions Brazil have won the tournament all four previous times they have hosted the event, the last time in 1989.
Brazil's Neymar, dropped from the squad because of an ankle injury sustained just before the tournament, watched from the stands at the Arena Gremio.
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Source: Skysports