Marcelo Bielsa anticipated the world’s reaction when Uruguay and Brazil ground, battled, and shoved their way through a Copa America quarterfinal match with 41 fouls, four shots on target, and no goals in open play.
Bielsa understands that the beautiful game was not particularly appealing Saturday night, but the renowned innovative coach now in charge of Uruguay’s bench was only concerned with the celebrations back home and in the Vegas stands when La Celeste won a historic game.
Manuel Ugarte scored the winning goal in the fifth round of the shootout, and Uruguay moved to the Copa America quarterfinals with a 4-2 penalty kick triumph following a scoreless draw.
Uruguay and Brazil performed a brutal, choppy affair with plenty of hard play but little of the dazzling football for which both South American powers are known. Uruguay’s Nahitan Nández was sent off in the 74th minute for a risky tackle on Rodrygo, but Brazil was unable to break past its 10-man opponent during the next 21 minutes.
“I (prefer) offensive football, but in this match, we created more opportunities and defended well,” Bielsa remarked through an interpreter. “We did the things necessary to succeed at this level.”
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Uruguay led 3-1 after three rounds of the shootout. Goalkeeper Sergio Rochet stopped Éder Militão, while Douglas Luiz struck the post. Alisson Becker saved José María Giménez’s strike in the fourth round to keep Brazil alive, but Ugarte scored the last goal.
“If you ask me if I’m happy that we only created three goal-scoring opportunities, then no,” Bielsa told the crowd. “However, our opponent only had two goal-scoring opportunities. We had to work hard to establish our opportunities, but it was enough for us.”
Uruguay progressed to the Copa America semifinals against Colombia on Wednesday night in Charlotte, North Carolina, following the third penalty shootout in four quarterfinal meetings. Colombia defeated Panama 5-0 earlier Saturday, extending its unbeaten streak to 27 games.
“We believe we’re in good shape to play against any opponent,” Bielsa told the crowd.
Defending champion Argentina will meet Canada in the other semifinal on Tuesday in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The final is scheduled for July 14 in Miami Gardens.
Brazil played without Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior, who was suspended after receiving two yellow cards. Brazil is already without Neymar, who suffered a knee ligament injury during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay last year.
Uruguay’s victory over Brazil was their first in 13 encounters since 2001, although Bielsa’s team has now defeated Brazil in consecutive games for the first time since 1992.
Endrick started in place of Vinícius Júnior, but the 17-year-old, who will join Real Madrid later this month, was unable to improve Brazil’s offensive performance. Except for a 4-1 triumph against Paraguay, Brazil only scored one goal and won one of its three Copa America matches. Despite never trailed, the Seleção is leaving the tournament.
“There were positives in every match,” coach Dorival Júnior stated through an interpreter. “It’s only normal that after a battle like this, something we thought was positive be ruled out. I am aware of that. We did not perform at a high technical level, but I do not discard any of the matches. There was determination and battling spirit. The team was always courageous. I feel we experienced more pros than negatives. The fact that we did not exploit the opportunity, despite outnumbering Uruguay, will be investigated.”
Uruguay went to the Copa America semifinals for the first time since winning the event in 2011, defeating Brazil for the first time in four attempts since 1995.
From the get-go, both teams were cautious and competitive. During a break in the 17th minute, Ronald Araújo shoulder-checked Endrick from behind, while the teenager complained about a previous non-call. Raphinha replied by knocking down Araújo, but the order was restored.
Araújo, an often injured Barcelona defender, departed the game in the 31st minute due to an apparent right leg injury. Bielsa later described it as a muscular injury.
After 35 minutes of few scoring possibilities, the clubs traded their best chances 35 seconds apart. After Darwin Núñez missed an uncontested header deep in Brazil’s box, Raphinha was blocked at close range by Rochet.
Nández, a 28-year-old veteran who recently left Cagliari for the Saudi Pro League, was sent off following a video review of his excessive, straight-legged tackle on Rodrygo, whose right ankle broke during contact.
Bielsa removed Liverpool attacker Núñez, forcing Uruguay to take penalties. Endrick had possibly Brazil’s best chance in the 84th minute, but his attempt was blocked by Rochet.
The teams played in air-conditioned comfort at the Las Vegas Raiders’ home stadium, despite the 113-degree Fahrenheit (45-degree Celsius) heat outdoors. NBA talents Joel Embiid and Devin Booker were among those in attendance, sitting in Vinícius Júnior’s box.
