Published 7/9/2011 9:08:15 PM by Shane Barrow from soccermogul

Brazil needed a late goal from Fred to salvage a 2-2 draw with Paraguay on Saturday at the Copa America.  The draw leaves Brazil winless after two matches and needing a win in their final group match against Ecuador to avoid an embarrassing elimination.

Brazil seemed headed for defeat until Fred found the net from inside the area to equalize at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes.  Fred scored after a perfect one-touch pass by playmaker Paulo Henrique Ganso, striking a low shot into the right corner of Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar.

"The fans need to be patient," Brazil coach Mano Menezes said. "We need to stay calm and focus on improving. We didn't really play below expectations." I don't think anyone in Brazil will believe a word of that as the side is seriously underperforming.  

"It was important to show that we can come back," substitute midfielder Elano said. "But we need to improve and keep our calm."

Jadson gave Brazil the lead with a low shot from the top of the area in the 38th, but Paraguay came back with goals by Roque Santa Cruz in the 54th and by Nelson Haedo Valdez in the 66th after mistakes by the Brazilian defense.  

The result leaves Paraguay and Brazil with two points each after two Group B matches. Venezuela has four points after beating Ecuador 1-0 later Saturday, while the Ecuadoreans remain bottom of the group with one point.

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