In a stunning turn of events at the Copa América 2024, Uruguay eliminated five-time champions Brazil in a tense quarterfinal match that ended 0-0 after 90 minutes and was decided by a 4-2 penalty shootout. The victory, which took place at the Allianz stadium in the United States, propels Uruguay into the semifinals where they will face Colombia.The match was characterized by intense, physical play and few clear scoring opportunities. Uruguay’s resilience was put to the test when midfielder Nahitan Nández was sent off in the 74th minute for a violent foul, leaving his team to play with 10 men for the remainder of the match. Despite this setback, Uruguay’s defense held firm, with goalkeeper Sergio Rochet making crucial saves, including denying Brazil’s Raphinha in a one-on-one situation.In the penalty shootout, Uruguay’s composure shone through. Federico Valverde, Rodrigo Bentancur, Giorgian de Arrascaeta, and Manuel Ugarte successfully converted their penalties for Uruguay. Brazil’s hopes were dashed when Éder Militão’s attempt was saved by Rochet, and Douglas Luiz hit the crossbar.Uruguay’s coach Marcelo Bielsa praised his team’s performance, stating, “We resisted with a man down and showed great character”. In contrast, Brazil’s coach Dorival Júnior acknowledged his team’s shortcomings, saying, “We didn’t perform at a high technical level, but I can’t fault the dedication and fighting spirit of the players”.The other semifinal will see Argentina face Canada, both teams having also advanced via penalty shootouts in their respective quarterfinal matches. Colombia secured their semifinal spot with a commanding 5-0 victory over Panama.Uruguay’s victory marks a significant moment in the tournament, as they continue their quest for continental glory under Bielsa’s guidance. Meanwhile, Brazil’s early exit raises questions about their form and strategy as they look ahead to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Key points
- Uruguay eliminated Brazil from Copa América 2024 with a 4-2 penalty shootout win after a 0-0 draw.
- Uruguay played with 10 men for the last 20 minutes after Nahitan Nández was sent off.
- Uruguay will face Colombia in the semifinals, while Argentina will play Canada in the other semifinal.
- Brazil’s early exit raises concerns about their form ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Contradictions👾There is a discrepancy in the reported time Uruguay played with 10 men.
Some sources state 16 minutes, while others mention 20 minutes or 21 minutes.
👾There is confusion about which Brazilian player was involved in the incident leading to Nández’s red card.
One source mentions Rodrigo, while most others do not specify.
