CONMEBOL giants squared off Saturday in Nevada, where it took penalties to separate Brazil and 10-man Uruguay for a place in the 2024 Copa America semifinal round.
A scoreless 90 minutes saw Uruguay down a man for the final 17 minutes plus stoppage as Nahitan Nandez was sent off following VAR review of a late foul against Brazil star Rodrygo.
[ MORE: Copa America schedule, bracket ]
Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay had been excellent with three wins from three to top Group C, while Brazil entered the knockout rounds without flow as they drew two of their group games to finish second in Group D behind Colombia.
Uruguay are two wins away from their first Copa America title since 2011. That would also snap a tie with Argentina (15) for most Copa America crowns ever.
Uruguay make it dirty, come out clean
Twenty-six fouls.
That total is not far from what Uruguay committed in the first three matches of the 2024 Copa America combined, but they did not face anything like Brazil in the group stage (Sorry, USMNT).
Playing near the edge nearly cost Marcelo Bielsa’s men when Nandez’s leg-breaker of a tackle was caught by VAR and sentenced him to the dressing room, but Uruguay held on for penalties and got a big save from Sergio Rochet on Eder Militao before Douglas Luiz later cranked his pen off the post.
Bielsa may again choose to muck it up with high-flying Colombia rather than try and fly alongside Los Cafeteros. And it might be more of the same should his Uruguay reach the final and find Argentina there.
He won’t care if they emerge with the trophy. They don’t ask how, they ask how many, and Bielsa’s biggest triumph so far is an Olympic gold medal with Argentina in 2004. This would top that.
Uruguay vs Brazil player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Uruguay vs Brazil player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Uruguay vs Brazil player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
An 8pm Wednesday meeting with Colombia at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte awaits Uruguay. Win there, and it’s a final match-up versus Argentina or Canada.
How to watch Uruguay vs Brazil, stream link and start time
Kick off: 9pm ET, Saturday (July 6)
Stadium: Allegiant Stadium - Las Vegas, Nevada
How to watch on TV, stream in USA: FS1, Fox Sports
Uruguay vs Brazil live updates — By Nick Mendola
Uruguay vs Brazil final score: 0-0 (4-2 on PKs)
Goalscorers: None
Penalty kicks - Uruguay lead 4-2
Fede Valverde cranks home a perfect penalty as Uruguay take a 1-0 lead.
Club teammate Eder Militao is first for Brazil. He is denied by a flying Sergio Rochet!
Now it’s Rodrigo Bentancur. He converts well, 2-0. Andreas Pereira answers for 2-1.
Giorgian De Arrascaeta buries his chance, and Douglas Luiz hits the post! 3-1.
Uruguay can win it here. Jose Maria Gimenez.... is saved by Alisson!
Gabriel Martinelli has to convert to give Alisson a chance to push this past five takers. He does. 3-2.
Manuel Ugarte wins it for Uruguay. 4-2.
Uh oh.
Uruguay keeper Sergio Rochet is injured, and this is a massive deal if it’s of consequence.
The 10-men side have used all of their subs and his apparent right knee injury could leave him or a field player between the pipes if this gets to penalties.
He’s up and about to take a goal kick, but it’ll be something to monitor over the next 10 minutes or so.
Red card! VAR review sends off Nández
Nahitan Nández slides straight-legged into Rodrygo’s ankle and sees yellow.
But wait, VAR is telling the referee to have another look, and Nandez will be sent off.
Fortunately for Uruguay, there are only 17 minutes left plus stoppage to get to penalties.
Halftime — Uruguay 0-0 Brazil
This game had a short fuse when it came to physical play but it was a long wait for great chances.
Brazil has had 54% of the ball, but has struggled in the final third as Endrick has been close without finish for the Selecao.
Uruguay has five of the game’s nine shot attempts, but Brazil has put the only shots on target.
Uruguay, again, has collected yellow card luck, committing 11 fouls without a caution. Brazil’s number is five, and Lucas Paqueta has been carded.
Ronald Araujo injury and big Uruguay miss
The blue-haired Barca man is not going to make it to halftime.
Uruguay will have to activate Jose Maria Gimenez — a nice luxury as one of the best center backs in the world.
Moments later Darwin Nunez runs between two defenders and onto a cross but he can’t bury it, the header drifting perhaps off his shoulder and wide of the far upper 90.
Feisty start
The continental rivalry is real, and boils over as Ronald Araujo flattens young Endrick from behind with a cheap shot.
It’s a welcome to the big time moment from the Barcelona man, who is then hit by club teammate and momentary rival Raphinha.
Definitely the moment of the match’s first 20 minutes.
Uruguay lineup
Rochet, Nandez, R. Araujo, Olivera, Vina, Ugarte, Valverde, De la Cruz, M. Araujo, Pellistri, Nunez.
Brazil lineup
Alisson, Arana, Militao, Marquinhos, Danilo, Guimaraes, Gomes, Paqueta, Rodrygo, Raphinha, Endrick
Uruguay team news, focus
Uruguay picked up some injuries against the USMNT with Manuel Ugarte, Max Araujo and Matias Vina going off, as Rodrigo Bentancur, Cristian Olivera and Jose Gimenez could start if they don’t recover in time. Luis Suarez has been used off the bench for a grand total of eight minutes so far but it feels like he will have a say late on if Uruguay need a goal, while Darwin Nunez should continue to lead the line.
Brazil team news, focus
Vinicius being suspended is a big blow but it could mean Endrick starts up top and Rodrygo moves out to the left, or Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli may be handed a start after only playing seven minutes so far in this tournament. Raphinha has stepped up in this tournament and will be their go-to player on the counter. Defensively Brazil look solid enough but they have to make the most of their chances on the break and 17-year-old Endrick is surely worth a start given his penchant for popping up with goals whenever called upon.
Uruguay vs Brazil prediction
This is going to be a tight, tense clash and all signs point towards Uruguay winning, but there’s something about Brazil hanging in there and getting it done on the counter. Uruguay 1-2 Brazil.