Brazil’s quest to win a 10th Copa América title and first since 2019 came to a relatively premature end after being sent packing from the continental competition by Uruguay in the United States, following a 4-2 loss on penalties at the end of a goalless 90 minutes.
In a physical battle played at the Allegiant Stadium in Nevada, Uruguay came twice close to scoring during regulation time through Darwin Núñez. The Liverpool striker first saw a goal-bound header deflected out for a corner kick by Éder Militão before seeing another header go over Alisson’s goal in the first half.
But it was Brazil that had the best chance to score when Lucas Paqueta headed Alisson’s goalkick to send Raphinha through on goal, only for the Barcelona attacker’s shot to be kept out by Uruguay keeper Sergio Rochet in the first half.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side was reduced to 10 men in the 74th minute after Nahitan Nández was shown a straight red card following VAR review. The full back initially received a yellow from Argentinian referee DarÃo Herrera for a tackle on Rodrygo, but changed his decision to a red card upon review. Still, Brazil couldn’t take advantage of being a man up, with teenage striker Endrick going the closest with a long-range effort that gave Rochet little trouble to save.
In the penalty shootout at the end of 90 minutes, Brazil were under pressure from the first kick after Militão saw his penalty saved by Rochet. Although Gabriel Martinelli gave the Selecao hope after Douglas Luiz’s kick came off the post, Manuel Ugarte dispatched his spot kick to send Uruguay through to the semis.
Uruguay will now face in-form Colombia for a place in the final, with James Rodriguez inspiring the Colombian side to a 5-0 whitewash of Panama in the final quarter-final match. The former Real Madrid and Everton midfielder scored one and assisted two more to keep them in the run for a second ever title in the competition.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina will face Canada in the other semi-final, a rematch of the tournament’s opening game which saw the reigning champions emerge 2-0 winners.