Copa America hosts Brazil survived a nervy penalty shootout to beat Paraguay and advance to the semifinals on Thursday night in Porto Alegre.

A pair of Paraguay misses in the shootout saw them exit the tournament, with Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus hitting the decisive spot kick for Brazil after the match finished 0-0 in regulation.

Brazil, who have won every Copa America they've hosted, had the majority of possession as the physical Paraguayans picked up three yellow cards in the first half, with both teams rarely threatening the opposition goal save for a handful of decent chances.

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Tite brought Alex Sandro on for Filipe Luis at half-time and Brazil looked much more lively from the outset.

Fabian Balbuena was whistled for a foul on Roberto Firmino in the penalty area and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. However, he changed his decision after consulting the pitch-side monitor and awarded Brazil a free kick outside the box while handing Balbuena a straight red for the tackle.

Dani Alves' subsequent free kick was well struck but fizzed just wide of the far post, with Brazil now playing up a man for the final 30 minutes after the Balbuena red.

With the man advantage, Brazil were firmly on the front foot but continued to lack the necessary cutting edge with their finishing despite a host of late chances. After seven minutes of stoppage time the match went to penalties.

Willian, Marquinhos and Philippe Coutinho converted their penalties for Brazil, while Miguel Almiron, Bruno Valdez and Rodrigo Rojas netted for Paraguay, before Jesus hit the decisive spot kick.

Brazil now have four straight shutouts at the Copa América, their longest such streak at the tournament since keeping eight clean sheets from from 1989 to 1991.