LAS VEGAS: Uruguay beat Brazil on penalties (4-2) to reach the semi-finals of Copa America after an ugly game ended goalless on Saturday.
Uruguay, who finished the game with ten men after Nahitan Nandez was sent off in the 74th minute, will face Colombia in Charlotte, North Carolina, in their semi-final on Wednesday.
Colombia, now unbeaten in 27 games, beat Panama 5-0 in Saturday´s other quarter-final earlier in Arizona. The other semi-final, in New Jersey on Tuesday, will see world champions Argentina face surprise package Canada.
For five-times world champions Brazil it was a disappointing early end to a tournament in which they never truly clicked, and a lot of work remains to be done if Dorival Junior´s team are to be in shape to compete for the title in the 2026 World Cup.
In a city better known for boxing than for the beautiful game, it was a bruising contest with little quality play and a tournament high 41 fouls. A poor quality playing field hardly helped with both teams struggling to produce their best football on an uneven surface.
The first - and best - chance of a game of few opportunities came in the 35th minute when Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez had a clear header in front of goal but mis-timed his effort which flew wide off his shoulder.
Within moments, Brazil created an opening of their own with Raphinha breaking clear, but Uruguay keeper Sergio Rochet stayed tall and made a vital save. Marcelo Bielsa´s Uruguay were as tenacious as always, harrying Brazil in midfield and never afraid to interrupt their flow with a foul.
Brazil resorted too often to long balls forward but with only their 17-year-old talent Endrick, in for the suspended Vinicius Junior, as a central striker they lacked the physical presence to make that approach effective. The game deteriorated the longer it went on with foul after foul, not deterred by lenient refereeing.
But Uruguay´s hopes of wearing Brazil down were dealt a blow when Nandez hacked down Rodrygo with a dangerous slide into his ankle and after a VAR review the defender was sent off. Rodriguez inspires Colombia into semis with win over Panama
Confident Colombia marched into the semi-finals of the Copa America with an impressive 5-0 win over Panama on Saturday setting up a meeting with Uruguay in the last four. James Rodriguez delivered another top class performance for Colombia, creating two goals and scoring a penalty as Panama were put to the sword.
Colombia, now unbeaten in 27 games, will face Uruguay in Charlotte on Wednesday after Marcelo Bielsa´s side beat Brazil 4-2 on penalties on Saturday after the game ended goalless. The other semi-final, on Tuesday in New Jersey, will see world champions Argentina take on surprise package Canada.
Colombia went ahead in the eighth minute when Jhon Cordoba showed great strength to hold off his marker and power home a header from a Rodriguez corner. Seven minutes later Rodriguez converted from the penalty spot after Jhon Arias burst into the area and was brought down by diving Panama keeper Orlando Mosquera. Panama, who had qualified from the group stage after beating the USA in group play, desperately needed a foothold in the game and went close when Roderick Miller headed against the post after a cross from Eric Davis.
But four minutes before the break, Colombia put the game beyond the reach of the Central Americans when Rodriguez showed great awareness to take a quick free-kick from in his own half, lifting the ball over the top to Luis Diaz.
The Liverpool winger raced goalward and with Mosquera caught in no-man´s land pulled off a wonderful chip to make it 3-0. Colombia kept calm control of the game after the break and added a fourth in the 70th minute with a 25-yard blast from Richard Rios.