Uruguay emerged victorious in a dramatic penalty shootout against Brazil, winning 4-2 after a tense 0-0 draw on Saturday at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. This victory propels Uruguay into the Copa America semifinals where they will face Colombia. The match saw Uruguay reduced to 10 men and Brazil struggling to capitalize on the advantage, ultimately leading to their elimination in a major tournament quarter-final via penalties for the second consecutive time following their 2022 World Cup exit to Croatia.
With Vinicius Jr suspended and watching from the stands, Brazil’s side, led by coach Dorival Junior, found it difficult to create scoring opportunities despite Uruguay’s Nahitan Nandez being sent off in the late second half. The penalty shootout began with Sergio Rochet saving Brazil’s first attempt by Eder Militao, while Douglas Luiz hit the post, giving Uruguay the edge.
Although Brazil’s goalkeeper Alisson Becker managed to save a penalty from Jose Maria Gimenez and Gabriel Martinelli scored to keep their hopes alive, Manuel Ugarte’s decisive spot-kick sealed the win for Uruguay, who continue their pursuit of a record 16th Copa America title. Rochet expressed his joy, noting the team’s resilience despite their youth and the challenging circumstances.
The match was marked by physicality, with 41 fouls committed by both teams. Brazil’s 17-year-old forward Endrick faced tough challenges, with Uruguay’s high-pressing strategy leaving him little room to maneuver. A notable incident occurred when Ronald Araujo pushed Endrick to the ground, prompting a retaliatory shove from Brazil’s Raphinha. The referee intervened, avoiding any bookings, but Araujo’s night ended prematurely due to injury shortly after.
The game intensified with missed chances from both sides, including Darwin Nunez’s close-range header and a thwarted shot by Raphinha. Uruguay’s coach Marcelo Bielsa’s strategy was disrupted when Nandez received a red card following a VAR review for a dangerous tackle on Rodrygo. Despite being a man down, Uruguay held firm, defending in numbers and forcing the game into penalties as there is no extra time in Copa America matches except for the final.
Reflecting on the defeat, Brazil’s young forward Endrick emphasized their determination to rise again and continue their preparations for World Cup qualifiers, seeking the support of Brazilian fans during this challenging period.
