By Miguel Rapetti
06 Jul 2024, 23:16 PM EDT
Uruguay’s national team advanced to the semi-finals of the Copa América on Saturday after tying Brazil 0-0 and then winning 4-2 on penalties in a match played at Allegiant Stadium in Nevada.
Uruguay achieved the feat despite playing with 10 men from the 72nd minute after Nahitan Nández was sent off and thanks to the figure of goalkeeper Sergio Rochet who stopped a penalty from Eder Militao and was also key with two one-on-one saves during the regular 90 minutes.
The match was marked by constant physical confrontation, with 26 fouls by Uruguay and 15 by Brazil, this being a priority in the game that both teams are used to with constant ball handling and quick forays down the wings.
In the 19th minute, the first clear chance of the first half came when a rebound after a corner was kicked by Fede Valverde, headed by Darwin Núñez and in an attempt to clear the ball, Eder Militao almost nailed it against him.
However, parity and physicality reigned for much of the first half, with disputes between Endrick and Valverde, as well as other clashes between FC Barcelona teammates Raphinha and Ronald Araujo.
After a distraction in the Uruguayan defence, the alliance between Endrick and Raphinha almost scored the first, seconds before Araujo had to leave the field of play due to physical problems and was replaced by Atlético de Madrid central defender, José María Giménez.
The end of the first half brought excitement for both Brazil and Uruguay, who could have scored the opening goal of the match after Núñez headed unmarked over Alisson Becker’s goal and seconds later Raphinha wasted a one-on-one opportunity by hitting the ball into the chest of Uruguayan goalkeeper Sergio Rochet.
The start of the second half left the same image as the first 45 minutes, with two teams that dedicated themselves more to going for the match and making physicality prevail than trying to open the scoring with shots on goal.
In Brazil, the absence of Vinícius Jr. was strongly felt, as he was suspended for accumulating yellow cards, and although Endrick, Raphinha and Rodrygo Goes tried to break through Uruguay’s defence, the Charrúas were well positioned on the field.
Uruguay responded with constant forays down the flanks and the deployment of their full-backs, but Brazil and an orderly defence led by Marquinhos also took care of their zone.
But at 72′ a play that linked midfielder Nahitan Nández and Rodrygo marked the break in the match.
Nández went after Rodrygo from the middle of the pitch and ended up with a reckless tackle from behind that was initially marked with a yellow card, but minutes later the VAR intervened and the main player of the match changed the yellow card to a red, sending the Cagliari player to the showers.
Despite being outnumbered, Uruguay managed to control the last 20 minutes of the match and ended up forcing a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw in the 90 minutes of regulation time.
Uruguay started off by kicking first and Fede Valverde converted, but his Real Madrid teammate Eder Militao chose to take a shot to the right and was met with a great save from Rochet to give his team the lead.
Rodrigo Betancur, Andreas Pereira and Giorgian De Arrascaeta then converted, but Brazil failed again in the sixth penalty through Douglas Luiz, who missed after shooting at Rochet’s right post to make the score 3-1.
To add more excitement to the shootout, the next shot by José María Giménez ended up suffering a great save from Alisson and Martinelli made it 3-2 hoping for the miracle that never happened because Manuel Ugarte as the fifth kicker converted his penalty kick and ended up decreeing Brazil’s elimination and sending Uruguay to the semifinals of the 2024 Copa América.
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