Brazilian biggest nightmare is back: Uruguay advance to the Copa América semis

Brazil still remember 1950 when they suffered one of the most painful defeats in their history. Back then, Uruguay beat them 2-1 and snatched the World Cup trophy in front of more than 170.000 Brazilians in Rio de Janeiro. After last night, they'll remember Copa América 2024, Marcelo Bielsa and his warriors!

The match itself was far from attractive since both teams were mainly focused on keeping the positive result and not conceding a goal. Brazil's attacking trio - Rodrygo, Raphinha, and Endrick - couldn't have made up for the absence of suspended Vinícius Júnior, and it was clear that Seleção lacked the pace and rhythm that Real Madrid's star brings to the game.

On the other hand, Uruguay was slightly better and had more shots until the 74th minute when Nahitan Nández got sent off after a horrendous tackle on Rodrygo. La Celeste attacked mainly through Darwin Núñez and his solo efforts, but that wasn't enough to find the net behind his Liverpool teammate Alisson. In the last 20 minutes, Bielsa's squad managed to defend doughtily and await the penalty shoot-out.

Sergio Rochet saved Éder Militão's shot from the spot already in the first series, giving his team the crucial head start. After Juventus' new acquisition, Douglas Luiz hit the post in the third series, it was clear that Brazil would get another trauma from Uruguay to cope with in the years to come. José María Giménez missed the fourth penalty for La Celeste and gave hope to Seleção. However, PSG's Manuel Ugarte was impeccable from the spot in the last series of the shoot-out, bringing his national team the first Copa América semi-final since 2011 when they were champions.

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Bielsa and his boys, as well as the entire country behind them, can keep dreaming of the so long-awaited trophy, whereas there's a turbulent period ahead of the Brazilians and especially the manager Dorival Júnior, who obviously showed he was not up to the task. In the semi-final, Uruguay will face Colombia which crushed Panama 5-0.

COPA AMERICA - KNOCKOUT STAGE

Sunday

Colombia - Panama 5-0 (3-0)

/Cordoba 8, Rodriguez 15 pen, Diaz 41, Rios 70, Borja 90+4 pen/

Uruguay - Brazil 4-2 on pen (0-0)

Wednesday

03.00: (1.37) Argentina (4.70) Canada (9.00)

Thursday

03.00: (2.85) Colombia (2.95) Uruguay (2.75)

***odds are subject to change***