Uruguay edged Brazil 4-2 in a penalty shootout on Saturday after going down to 10 men in a bruising 0-0 draw at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to march into the semifinals of the Copa America where they will face Colombia.
With Vinicius Jr suspended for Brazil and watching on from the stands, Dorival Jr’s side struggled to create opportunities despite having a man advantage late in the second half when Uruguay’s Nahitan Nandez was sent off.
In the ensuing shootout, Sergio Rochet saved Brazil’s first penalty from Eder Militao while his teammate Douglas Luiz hit the post to give Uruguay the upper hand.
Although keeper Alisson Becker denied Jose Maria Gimenez and Gabriel Martinelli scored to keep Brazil alive, Manuel Ugarte buried the decisive spot kick as Uruguay continued their quest for a record 16th Copa crown.
“It was a very tense match, against a very tough opponent, suffering in the last minutes a man down. But we showed character despite our youth,” Rochet said.
“To finish with penalties and winning, I was able to save one… The truth is that it is a tremendous happiness that this group deserves, the country deserves it. We are very excited, so we are going for more.”
In a bruising encounter with 41 fouls from both teams, players from both sides were involved in physical battles across the pitch.
Brazil’s 17-year-old forward Endrick was on the receiving end of brutal challenges as a high-pressing Uruguay refused to give him space to breathe.
On one occasion, Raphinha acted out when Endrick was pushed to the ground by Ronald Araujo as the Brazil skipper retaliated in anger by shoving back before the referee stepped in and had a stern word with both players, keeping his cards in his pocket.
But Araujo’s night ended early when he was taken off with an injury after the half-hour mark and the match suddenly burst into life moments later when Darwin Nunez missed a close-range header that sailed over the net.
Within seconds, Raphinha saw his shot on a counter-attack thwarted by keeper Rochet, Brazil’s best chance of the half.
