Sixteen teams (four left) are participating in this year’s America’s Cup. That’s the same number that were in the European Championships in the good old days, from 1996 to 2012. Now, from the quarterfinals onwards, the teams in both places have been going at roughly the same pace.
At Euro 2024, England beat Switzerland on Saturday, and the Netherlands beat Turkey. At the Copa America, the quarter-finals were due to end in the next six hours (or maybe minutes later). Colombia thrashed Panama, and then it was Uruguay and Brazil.
The Charrua were more successful in the group stage, beating Panama (3:1), Bolivia (5:0), and the USA (1:0). Uruguay advanced to the playoffs from first place in the group, Brazil from second. The Selecao played Costa Rica (0:0), Paraguay (4:1), and Colombia (1:1) in the group.
How did the game go in the last quarterfinal of the Copa America? You might say, according to the scenario of the “heavenly Olympians”. In the sense that for them, destruction is most important. And the Brazilians lacked creation, especially without the disqualified Vinicius Junior.
Eighteenth minute: Uruguayan corner, then Ugarte adds from a rebound, and Darwin Nunez hits Militao’s head with the ball from the second floor – it’s a corner. De la Cruz crosses from the left corner, and Matias Olivera sends the ball over the goal from under Marquinhos.
The bad news for the Charrua was the injury of Ronald Araujo. He was unable to continue the match, presumably with a pulled hamstring. He was forced to replace Barcelona defender José Jiménez from Atlético Madrid.
The 35th minute saw an exchange of chances. Nandez crossed from the right flank to Nunez – Darwin was required to hit the target, but he headed wide. The Selecao responded with a one-on-one with Rafinha Dias, who was neutralized by Rochet.
In the second half, the game did not transform into something acceptable for football gourmets. Maximiliano Araujo and Federico Valverde took shots from afar – wide. What did the Brazilians have? Well, Endrik sent the ball into Rochet’s hands. The penalty shootout loomed ever more clearly.
A red card for Uruguay in this game would not have solved anything. And it happened in the 74th minute. Nathan Nandez twisted Rodrigo’s ankle with a tackle – Dario Herrera watched the video replay, witnessed this outrage and issued the offender a direct red card.
Yes, Brazil had more possession and attacked, but they looked weak in attack. As they say, magicians of the ball? Defending with ten men (nine field players) once morest such a toothless opponent is quite acceptable. So Uruguay held out until the penalty shootout.
The Charrua opened the series. Valverde hit the left corner from the spot – Alisson missed (1:0 on penalties). Militao hit the other way, and Rochet saved (1:0). Bentancur hit the right corner successfully (2:0). Andreas Pereira sent the ball into the left corner accurately (2:1).
De Arrascaeta powerfully smashed the ball under the crossbar (3:1). Douglas Luis should have hit the goal, but he hit the left post (3:1). Jimenez hits the right corner, and that’s not all, because Alisson saves it (3:1). Martinelli hits regarding the same place, and the net trembles (3:2).
And Ugarte sends the ball into the same zone – Alisson misses the target this time (4:2). Uruguay with Marcelo Bielsa at the helm is heading to the semi-finals of the Copa America, where they will face Colombia. And Brazil, of course, is going home. There will be no final or third place match between Argentina and Brazil.
So, what are the similarities between the America’s Cup and Euro 2024? Three quarterfinals in both ended in a draw in regulation time (twice 1:1, once 0:0). The difference is that there were two penalty shootouts at the Euro quarterfinal stage, while there were three at the Copa.
Kirill Ivantsov
sfarsit articol
Sixteen teams are participating in this year’s America’s Cup, with four teams remaining. This is the same number that competed in the European Championships during its heyday, from 1996 to 2012. Currently, from the quarterfinals onwards, the teams in both competitions have been progressing at a similar pace.
At Euro 2024, England defeated Switzerland on Saturday, and the Netherlands overcame Turkey. At the Copa America, the quarter-finals were scheduled to conclude within the next six hours (or perhaps a few minutes later). Colombia dominated Panama, followed by the clash between Uruguay and Brazil.
Game protocol
The Charrua had a successful group stage, defeating Panama (3:1), Bolivia (5:0), and the USA (1:0). Uruguay advanced to the playoffs from the top of their group, while Brazil secured second place. The Selecao played Costa Rica (0:0), Paraguay (4:1), and Colombia (1:1) in their group matches.
The last quarterfinal of the Copa America unfolded according to a script dictated by “heavenly Olympians,” where destruction was paramount. The Brazilians lacked creativity, particularly in the absence of the disqualified Vinicius Junior.
In the 18th minute, a Uruguayan corner kick led to a rebound, and Ugarte’s follow-up shot was met by Militao’s head, resulting in another corner. De la Cruz delivered a cross from the left corner, and Matias Olivera sent the ball over the goal from beneath Marquinhos.
Bad news for the Charrua came with Ronald Araujo’s injury, preventing him from continuing the match, likely due to a pulled hamstring. He was forced to be replaced by Atlético Madrid defender José Jiménez.
The 35th minute witnessed an exchange of opportunities. Nandez crossed from the right flank to Nunez, who missed the target with a header. The Selecao responded with a one-on-one with Rafinha Dias, who was thwarted by Rochet.
In the second half, the match failed to evolve into something pleasing for football connoisseurs. Maximiliano Araujo and Federico Valverde attempted long-range shots, both going wide. The Brazilians had Endrik send the ball into Rochet’s hands, and a penalty shootout became increasingly apparent.
A red card for Uruguay wouldn’t have changed the outcome, and it arrived in the 74th minute. Nathan Nandez tackled Rodrigo, causing an ankle injury. Referee Dario Herrera reviewed the video replay, witnessed the foul, and issued a direct red card to the offender.
Despite dominating possession and attacking, Brazil appeared weak in attack. Defending with ten men (nine outfield players) once morest such a toothless opponent was manageable, allowing Uruguay to hold on until the penalty shootout.
The Charrua opened the series. Valverde scored from the spot in the left corner, while Alisson missed his save (1:0 on penalties). Militao aimed for the opposite corner, but Rochet saved (1:0). Bentancur successfully hit the right corner (2:0). Andreas Pereira sent the ball accurately into the left corner (2:1).
De Arrascaeta powerfully smashed the ball under the crossbar (3:1). Douglas Luis should have found the back of the net but hit the left post (3:1). Jimenez aimed for the right corner but Alisson saved (3:1). Martinelli struck a similar shot, and the net trembled (3:2).
Ugarte sent the ball to the same zone, with Alisson missing the target this time (4:2). Uruguay, under Marcelo Bielsa’s guidance, advanced to the Copa America semi-finals, where they will face Colombia. Brazil, on the other hand, is heading home. There will be no final or third-place match between Argentina and Brazil.
So, what are the similarities between the America’s Cup and Euro 2024? Three quarterfinal matches in both tournaments ended in draws during regulation time (twice 1:1, once 0:0). The difference lies in the penalty shootout rounds. At the Euro quarterfinal stage, there were two penalty shootouts, while the Copa saw three.
Kirill Ivantsov
Uruguay’s Triumph Over Brazil in Copa America Quarterfinals: A Penalty Shootout Thriller
The Copa America 2024 quarterfinal clash between Uruguay and Brazil unfolded as a dramatic penalty shootout thriller, echoing the intense matches witnessed during the recent Euro 2024 tournament. While both competitions saw a significant number of matches going to extra time and penalties, the Copa America showcased its unique brand of drama and intensity.
A Tight Duel: Uruguay’s Defensive Prowess and Brazil’s Struggles
The match saw Uruguay, under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa, adopt a solid defensive strategy that thwarted Brazil’s offensive momentum. Despite dominating possession and attempting to break through the Charrua defense, the Selecao found it difficult to create clear-cut scoring opportunities. The absence of Vinicius Junior due to suspension undoubtedly hampered their attacking prowess.
The first half witnessed a tense encounter with limited chances created. A corner kick for Uruguay saw Ugarte and Darwin Nunez combine for a dangerous header towards the Brazilian goal, but Militao’s intervention cleared the ball. The half ended goalless, mirroring the tight nature of many Euro 2024 matches.
Key Moments and The Importance of Set Pieces
Despite the absence of any goals in the first half, the game was far from uneventful. Set pieces played a crucial role, as both teams sought to gain an advantage. Uruguay’s corner kicks, in particular, posed a threat to the Brazilian defense.
The second half continued in a similar vein with both sides grappling for control. Uruguay’s defensive resilience held firm, while Brazil struggled to find a way through. The Charrua’s tactical discipline was evident, frustrating the Selecao throughout the game.
A pivotal moment arrived in the 74th minute when Nathan Nandez received a straight red card for a tackle on Rodrigo. This left Uruguay to defend with ten men, but their resolve remained unbroken.
The Penalty Shootout Drama
The game ultimately went to a penalty shootout, a familiar scenario in both the Copa America and Euro 2024. With both sides displaying nerves of steel, the tension mounted as the kicks unfolded.
Uruguay’s penalty takers, led by the clinical Valverde, showed remarkable composure to convert their shots, while Brazil faltered. Rochet, the Uruguayan goalkeeper, proved himself to be a hero, saving Militao’s initial penalty. Ultimately, Uruguay’s penalty-taking prowess proved superior, securing a 4-2 victory and a place in the semi-finals.
The Journey Ahead: Uruguay’s Path to Copa America Glory
Uruguay’s victory over Brazil was a testament to their unwavering determination and tactical discipline. The Charrua’s journey to the Copa America semi-finals emphasizes the unpredictability of the tournament and the importance of showcasing exceptional resilience.
Uruguay will now face Colombia, another team that has displayed impressive form throughout the tournament. As the Copa America progresses, further exciting encounters and unexpected results are expected, making it a captivating spectacle for football enthusiasts around the globe.
Kirill Ivantsov
