Manuel Ugarte booted in the clinching penalty kick and Uruguay advanced to the Copa America semifinals after following up a scoreless tie in regulation with a 4-2 edge in penalties over Brazil on Saturday night at Las Vegas.
Federico Valverde, Rodrigo Bentancur and Giorgian de Arrascaeta also converted penalty kicks and goalkeeper Sergio Rochet made a key save as Uruguay continues its quest for its 16th Copa America crown.
Uruguay will face Colombia in Wednesday’s semifinals at Charlotte, N.C. Colombia pounded Panama 5-0 earlier Saturday.
Brazil was unable to prosper after having a man-advantage for 21 minutes (16 regulation, five stoppage time) before the shootout.
Brazil trailed 1-0 in penalty kicks when Eder Militao had his attempt stopped by Rochet. Later, Brazil remained behind 3-1 when Douglas Luiz hit the left goalpost.
Ugarte later drilled the winner.
Andreas Pereira and Gabriel Martinelli converted penalty kicks for Brazil, which played without star Vinicius Junior, who was suspended for the match due to getting two yellow cards during group play.
A red card on Uruguay’s Nahitan Nandez opened the door for Brazil late in regulation.
Nandez was initially given a yellow card in the 71st minute for a takedown of Rodrygo in which his foot aggressively slid into the Brazilian’s right ankle. The play was reviewed and upgraded to a red card in the 74th minute.
Prior to the shootout, Uruguay had a 12-7 edge in shots, though Brazil (3 to 1) put more on target.
In the 84th minute, 17-year-old Endrick, who was starting in place of Junior, delivered a long left-footed shot that was saved by Rochet.
Uruguay’s Darwin Nunez came up empty on two headers. The first, in the 18th minute, was cleared away by a Brazil defender. His 35th-minute opportunity sailed over the net.
Raphinha had a solid chance for Brazil just after Nunez’s second miss. He delivered a right-footed shot that Rochet knocked away with his hand.
Early in the second half, Uruguay’s Federico Valverde sent a right-footer from outside the box that Alisson Becker stopped.
–Field Level Media
