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Copa America 2024 highlights: After 0-0 tie, Uruguay beats Brazil on penalty kicks
By Elizabeth Flores and Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY,
18 hours ago
Uruguay's midfielder #05 Manuel Ugarte celebrates after scoring in a penalty shoot-out to win the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament quarter-final football match between Uruguay and Brazil. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP) FREDERIC J. BROWN, AFP via Getty Images
The 2024 Copa América tournament reached a crucial stage on Saturday, with a highly anticipated quarterfinal clash between football giants Brazil and Uruguay in Las Vegas.
It certainly played up to its billing in an exciting finish on penalty kicks where Uruguay won 4-2 to secure a spot in the semifinals on Wednesday.
Uruguay set the tone early in the first half and more than doubled up Brazil on fouls. By the end of the game, they racked up 26 to Brazil's 15. Uruguay played fast and aggressive but Brazil had better opportunities to score. Midway through the second half, Uruguay went down to 10 men after an aggressive tackle by Nahitan Nández. Brazil could not take advantage and the game went to penalties.
Early misses by Brazil handed Uruguay a 3-1 advantage. José María Giménez missed the fourth attempt for Uruguay to give Brazil a chance but Manuel Ugarte sank the fifth penalty kick to give Uruguay the win 0-0 (4-2).
Uruguay will face Colombia - fresh off a 5-0 win over Panama - on Wednesday in the semifinals. The winner will play the winner for the Argentina-Canada matchup in the Copa America final.
Uruguay vs. Brazil highlights
Uruguay set a physical tone early on with multiple hard hits and fouls.
Brazil had a handful of chances in the first half but just couldn't make the right move to score early on.
Nández's red card changed the tone of the game with Uruguay going on the defensive to keep Brazil out of the net.
Endrick, the youngest player on the pitch, nearly scored in the second half for Brazil multiple times.
Once the game went to penalties, Ugarte's make sealed the victory.
Following the red card, manager Marcelo Bielsa made two substitutions: Giorgian de Arrascaeta for Darwin Núñez and Guillermo Varela for Facundo Pellistri.
Nahitan Nández was shown the yellow after fouling Brazil's Rodrygo hard with a foot to his right ankle. The foul is under review for upgrade to a red card.
Each side was shown its second yellow of the match. For Uruguay, it was Nicolás de la Cruz on a foul on Rodrygo in the 60th minute. For Brazil, it was João Gomes on Nahitan Nández in the 64th minute.
The sides have split possession nearly perfectly in the first half. Brazil's had better chances to score but have yet to capitalize on them. Uruguay's playing very physically with 13 fouls to Brazil's five after the first 45 minutes of action.
A cross brought the ball into the box for Uruguay but a clearing kick knocked it away from the box. A Manuel Ugarte pass set up Darwin Núñez for a header but his attempt was blocked well over the crossbar.
Uruguay, the second-smallest nation at the Copa America, has a rich history of soccer success. The country has clinched two World Cup victories and 15 Copa America titles. What's more, Uruguay is currently on a red-hot four-game winning streak, with its last loss dating back to March 2024, when it was defeated 2-1 by Ivory Coast in an international friendly.
Brazil
Brazil's recent performances in the Copa America have been nothing short of spectacular. It has qualified in all 47 tournaments and has won nine titles, including the 2019 championship. Its runner-up finish in 2021, although not a victory, is a testament to its consistent form and the excitement they bring to the tournament.
The rivalry between Brazil and Uruguay is a saga of intense battles on the football field. They have clashed 79 times , with Brazil leading the series with 40 wins to Uruguay's 22, and 17 games ending in a draw.
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