Copa America 2024: Uruguay defeat Brazil on penalties despite red to make semi-finals, Colombia thrash Panama
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Published 07/07/2024 at 09:51 GMT+1
Marcelo Bielsa and his Uruguay side are through to their first Copa America semi-final since lifting the trophy in 2011. They defeated Brazil on penalties with Manuel Ugarte striking the winning spot-kick after Nahitan Nandez was sent off for a nasty challenge on Rodrygo. Darwin Nunez and Raphinha missed the best chances of the match, which saw Uruguay advance to face Colombia on Wednesday.
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Video credit: SNTV
Uruguay are through to the Copa America semi-finals after defeating Brazil 4-2 on penalties at the end of a heated stalemate.
Nahitan Nandez was sent off for Marcelo Bielsa’s men but Manuel Ugarte was the hero after netting the winning spot-kick.
Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet saved Eder Militao’s effort and new Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz hit the post with his penalty in the shoot-out.
In a cagey but fiery affair, Uruguay committed 26 fouls to Brazil’s 15, Ugarte was given his marching orders via VAR after a nasty ankle-high tackle on Rodrygo in the 74th minute.
Bielsa’s team will face Colombia on Wednesday in their first Copa semi-final appearance since 2011, when they lifted the trophy after beating Paraguay in the final.
The former Leeds boss acknowledged that his side’s usual swashbuckling style of play was compromised to beat Brazil.
“I [prefer] offensive football, but in this match, we created more opportunities and we defended well,” Bielsa told AP through an interpreter. “We did the things necessary to succeed at this level.
“If you ask me if I’m happy that we only created three goalscoring opportunities, then no.
“But our opponents only had two goalscoring opportunities. We had to work hard to create our opportunities ... but that was satisfactory to us.”
Darwin Nunez spurned Uruguay’s clearest chance, heading over from six yards in the 35th minute, before Rochet was out quickly to deny Raphinha on the counter.
The ex-Leeds forward was embraced by his former boss before kick-off, while post-match Nunez consoled Liverpool team-mate Alisson Becker, whose penalty save from Jose Maria Gimenez was in vain.
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Despite a lack of clear-cut chances, Bielsa drew confidence from the gritty victory ahead of their last-four clash with Colombia at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
“We believe we’re in good shape to play against any opponent,” Bielsa said.
Five-star Colombia sweep aside Panama
Colombia raced out of the blocks to hammer Panama 5-0 and reach back-to-back Copa America semi-finals.
James Rodriguez netted their second via a penalty after just 15 minutes, and the former Real Madrid star recorded two assists to make light work of the first-time quarter-finalists.
Jhon Cordoba was the happy recipient of the first, heading in from a corner in the eighth minute before Luis Diaz and Richard Rios found the net with two superb strikes after half-time.
Miguel Borja wrapped up the impressive win from the spot with the final kick of the match.
But despite the comprehensive result, Colombia boss Nestor Lorenzo told The Athletic that Panama were better than the scoreline suggested.
“The match wasn’t as easy as you might draw from the result," said Lorenzo. "It was very physical, Panama is a team that has a game-plan that they manage well.
“They were lacking a bit in their finishing, and we were clinical. We won by a great difference but it was a tough match.”
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