Copa America 2011 Final: Prediction and Details -- Uruguay vs. Paraguay (Soccer)

Sunday's Copa America Final in Buenos Aires pits the exciting against the dull, when Uruguay faces off with Paraguay at 3 p.m. eastern time.

Uruguay is led by a pair of talented forwards with Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez and a determined attack that has scored in each Copa America match, while Paraguay is led by a suffocating defense that has shutout three opponents in the tournament, including attack-minded Brazil for 120 minutes.

Uruguay may still be riding high after defeating host and neighboring nation Argentina in probably the best match of Copa America. Forlan terrorized Argentina on set pieces, and the Uruguayan defense held off Argentina's talented collection of forwards despite being a man down for nearly 50 minutes.

In the semifinals, it seemed like Uruguay was carrying the momentum of the victory over Argentina as they eased by a Peru side that probably was happy and surprised to have advanced as far as they had.

Behind Suarez's two goals, Uruguay looked like the class of the tournament.

However, Paraguay knocked off a South American goliath of their own. In two matches with Brazil, Paraguay finished with results of 2-2, and 0-0. In the quarterfinals, Brazil gave what probably was their worst ever performance in a penalty shootout. It was a rather fitting way to go out, as it appeared that Brazil's failure to score was more of their own doing, than Paraguay's success in holding them off.

With a determined defense that also shut out Venezuela in the semifinals, Paraguay boasts versatile and hard-nosed defenders such as Paulo da Silva and Marcos Caceres.

The attack managed only nine shots against Venezuela, and only four against Brazil. So, in 240 minutes, Paraguay only took 13 shots. Still, Paraguay has talented forwards such as Lucas Barrios, and Roque Santa Cruz. Finding them the ball has proven to be the challenge, though.

Both squads have received solid performances from their goalkeepers. It will be interesting if Uruguay's Fernando Muslera and Paraguay's Justo Villar will be tested in a penalty shootout. (Let's hope not.)

PREDICTION: Paraguay continues to play defensive, but Uruguay manages a first half goal, forcing Paraguay to attack. This strategy opens the game up, and gives Uruguay more chances on counter-attacks. Containing Forlan, Suarez, and Diego Perez will be too much of a challenge for Paraguay.

SCORE PREDICTION: Uruguay 2, Paraguay 1.