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By Martin Graham | 7th Jul 2024
At Allegiant Stadium, Uruguay narrowly defeated Brazil in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw. The match was intense from the beginning, with both teams showing strong defensive play and a high level of physicality.
In the first half, tensions rose as Barcelona teammates Ronald Araujo and Raphinha confronted each other following Araujo’s foul on Brazil’s 17-year-old Endrick, who was playing in place of the suspended Vinicius Junior. Endrick missed an early scoring opportunity, while Darwin Nunez failed to convert a chance at the other end. The half was dominated by fouls rather than scoring attempts.
Just before halftime, Araujo left the game due to a hamstring injury. The second half mirrored the first in its cautious play, with neither Endrick nor Nunez managing to score. Fede Valverde’s long shots kept Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson busy but did not find the back of the net.
Uruguay overcomes challenges
Uruguay’s situation became more difficult with 15 minutes remaining when Nahitan Nández received a red card for a dangerous tackle on Rodrygo, following a VAR review. Despite being a man down, Uruguay held firm, and Brazil couldn’t capitalize on their advantage. The match proceeded to penalties, where Brazil missed two crucial shots, allowing Uruguay to advance to the semi-finals.
Colombia thrashes Panama
At the University of Phoenix Stadium, Colombia delivered a dominant 5-0 performance against Panama, extending their unbeaten streak to 27 matches. James Rodriguez was the standout player, showcasing his exceptional skills.
Rodriguez provided an impeccable corner kick that Jhon Cordoba headed home for the first goal and then scored from the penalty spot shortly after. Despite Panama’s attempts to mount a comeback, their finishing was poor, with Jose Fajardo, Edgar Barcenas, and Ismael Diaz all failing to convert their chances. Rodriguez continued to influence the game, setting up Luis Diaz for Colombia’s third goal with a quick free-kick. Although Panama managed to limit Rodriguez’s impact in the second half, the damage was already done.
In the closing stages, Richard Rios scored a fourth goal with a powerful shot, and Miguel Borja added a fifth with another penalty in the final moments. Rodriguez’s performance included five assists and one goal, setting a record for a Colombian player in a major tournament. Colombia now looks ahead to a semi-final showdown with Uruguay.
Argentina to meet Canada
The other semi-final will see World Cup champions and Copa America holders Argentina face off against underdogs Canada, promising an exciting conclusion to the tournament.
Martin Graham is an MFF sports writer
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