Jesse Marsch hopes Canada's memorable Copa America debut changes the trajectory of football in the country, as they look to cap their campaign with a bronze medal against Uruguay.

Canada's first appearance at the tournament saw them reach the semi-finals, a memorable penalty shoot-out victory over Venezuela teeing up a meeting with Argentina.

Marsch's team gave a solid account of themselves against the holders but were beaten 2-0 with Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi on target, sending them into Saturday's third-place play-off.

Marsch, who was only appointed a few weeks before the tournament began, hopes their campaign will be a catalyst for further improvement ahead of a home World Cup in 2026.

"We want to inspire the nation," Marsch said one day after Canada's semi-final defeat. "We want to develop the sport in this country.

"We want people to remember this as a moment in time that changed the trajectory of what this sport is in Canada.

"We're establishing things at some high levels. But in order to be a real team that can hold up to the biggest moments and biggest matches, there's more work to be done.

"Physically, mentally, intellectually, we've got to find a way to develop players faster."

Marsch added he will make changes to his lineup in North Carolina, with Alphonso Davies a doubt after he suffered an injury to his left foot.

Marsch will come up against his Leeds United predecessor Marcelo Bielsa on Saturday, after his much-fancied Uruguay side were beaten 1-0 by 10-man Colombia in their own semi-final.

Daniel Munoz was sent off on the stroke of half-time after Jefferson Lerma had headed Colombia into the lead, but Uruguay were outshot seven to six while a man up despite enjoying 73% of the possession.

Bielsa believes La Celeste would have been better off against a full complement, saying: "When they have 11, Colombia are a team that plays to play, and so are we. 

"In that context, we created scoring chances and the ones we conceded were generated by some concessions from us. 

"Eleven against eleven, for us, it was easier to attack, and we had to defend. In the second half, playing with an extra man, it was much more difficult to attack, and we practically didn't have to defend."

Uruguay's defeat was marred by scenes of crowd violence involving the families of some Celeste players at full-time, prompting CONMEBOL to open an investigation. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Canada – Jonathan David

Canada had 25 touches in Argentina's penalty area in their semi-final, 12 more than the world champions, yet they only managed five shots from inside the box to their opponents' seven.

If they are to cap a historic campaign with a medal, they may need David to make some of those openings count.

David has underperformed his expected goals figures at this tournament, netting once from chances valued at 1.58 xG. No Canada player has attempted more than his seven shots, three of which have hit the target.

Uruguay – Darwin Nunez

Nunez has attempted more shots (20) than any other player at this edition of the Copa America, with his total of 2.59 xG only bettered by Argentina's Lautaro Martinez (2.91).

While the Liverpool man has two goals to his name, they both came in the group stage, and he has only hit the target with five of his 20 attempts.

Among all players to net at this year's tournament, only three have a worse shot accuracy than Nunez's 33% (excluding blocks), but a profitable game here could even put him back in the race for the Golden Boot. 

MATCH PREDICTION: URUGUAY WIN

Uruguay have participated in the third-place play-off at the Copa America on three previous occasions, beating Colombia 2-1 in 2004, drawing 2-2 with Honduras in 2001 (then losing on penalties) and suffering a 3-1 defeat to Mexico in 2007.

A victory in North Carolina would make this Uruguay's joint-second best Copa campaign of the 21st century, after they won the title in 2011.

They have only lost four of their 15 Copa America matches against Concacaf opponents, though they are winless in their last three such games in the knockout rounds, losing 3-1 to Mexico in the the 2007 third-place match, and drawing 2-2 with Honduras in the 2001 edition after losing 2-1 to Mexico in the semi-finals.

Canada are aiming to become the third Concacaf country to finish third in the competition after Mexico (1997, 1999 and 2007) and Honduras (2001). 

A victory would make this the second-best campaign by a non-CONMEBOL Copa America debutant nation, after Mexico took silver on their 1993 bow. However, Marsch's men are big outsiders.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY 

Canada – 13.2%

Uruguay – 70%

Draw – 16.8%

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez slammed Colombia for their "ugly" celebrations following Wednesday's Copa America semi-final, which saw players' families caught up in crowd violence.

Colombia advanced to their third Copa America final with a 1-0 victory in North Carolina, with Jefferson Lerma heading home the only goal in the first half.

However, the game was marred by ugly scenes as the families of some Uruguay players were caught up in violence involving Colombia supporters.

Colombia forward Miguel Borja also celebrated in front of Uruguay's players after the full-time whistle, prompting Suarez to lash out at Los Cafeteros' attitude. 

"There are always squabbles, jokes or whatever, but what is annoying is the way they celebrated," Suarez told reporters after the game.

"It makes no sense to celebrate like that. We eliminated Brazil the other day and none of us passed in front of any Brazil player. 

"It was the opposite. We went to them afterwards because we are colleagues on the pitch and we know what it is like to be knocked out.

"To celebrate in front of a professional colleague like that is ugly. But what goes around comes around." 

Some players – including Liverpool's Darwin Nunez and Atletico Madrid's Jose Gimenez – climbed into the stands after the game to reach their family members as punches were by fans in Colombia shirts.

Asked about the incident, Suarez said: "You see your partner, kids, parents, elderly people in the stands and you want to know how they are.

"Things had started to fall on them. No one wants to see those images, but obviously if you see that a family member is being attacked, you try and defend them. 

"It does not justify what happened, but you have to realise they were trying to protect their families and their children."

Uruguay players clashed with fans in the stands after their Copa America semi-final defeat to Colombia, with captain Jose Gimenez describing the situation as a "disaster".

Marcelo Bielsa's team were beaten 1-0 as Jefferson Lerma's first-half header proved decisive for Colombia, who held on after Daniel Munoz was sent off on the stroke of half-time.

After the match, footage shared on social media showed Uruguay players climbing into the stands at the Bank of America Stadium and clashing with fans wearing Colombia shirts.

Players' family members were caught up in the violence, leading Gimenez to lash out at tournament organisers on the official broadcast. 

"Let me say something before they cut you off because they won't let us speak into the microphone, they don't want me to say anything about what's going on but this is a disaster," Gimenez said.

"Please be careful, our families are in the stands, there are newborn babies. It was a disaster; there was no police and we had to defend our families.

"This is the fault of two or three people who had a few too many drinks and don't know how to drink."

CONMEBOL released a statement condemning the violence after the match, saying: "Our work is based on the conviction that soccer connects and unites us through positive values.

"There is no place for intolerance and violence on or off the field."

The full-time whistle also precipitated an on-pitch altercation involving fans and staff from both teams.

Asked about the incidents in his post-match press conference, Bielsa said: "I thought the incident ended with some arguments on the field and when I saw that happening I went to the locker room.

"I thought that they were thanking the fans for their support. But then I learned that there were some problems over there, unfortunately."

Nestor Lorenzo hailed Colombia's spirit after they survived Daniel Munoz's red card to beat Uruguay at the Copa America, saying overcoming Marcelo Bielsa made the victory more special.

Colombia will face Argentina in their third Copa America final (also 1975 and 2001) after Jefferson Lerma's first-half header downed Uruguay in Wednesday's semi-final.

Lorenzo's team clung on despite playing the second half with 10 men, with Munoz sent off for a second bookable offence on the stroke of half-time.

Bielsa blamed himself for Uruguay's defeat in his post-match press conference, but Lorenzo paid tribute to the former Leeds United boss when assessing Colombia's victory.

"I think that to beat Bielsa, you must walk many miles," Lorenzo told reporters.

"He is a referent coach and I really admire him as a person. It was our turn to win, that's all."

Uruguay had 73% of the possession after Colombia scored in the 39th minute, but Lorenzo's team managed seven shots to their opponents' six during that period.

Lorenzo opted against sacrificing an attacker after Munoz's sending-off, and he was delighted to see that decision pay off. 

"One of the main topics we discuss is that we never want to be one man down. It is impossible to maintain performance with 10 players on the pitch," Lorenzo added.

"Teams that were dominating their opponents when they were one man down were eliminated from the tournament. We really analysed that situation.

"With the formation, we only had options of 5-4, 5-3-1 or to keep it 4-3-2 and create opportunities. We chose that one and God favoured us. 

"Some of their opportunities didn't go in, but we also missed some and we made it.

"Daniel is feeling a bit sad. He's a lion on the pitch and once more he got a bit emotional. I hugged him and I told him that without him we wouldn't be where we are, so he has to hold his head up high."

Marcelo Bielsa believes he is to blame for Uruguay's Copa America exit, claiming Colombia's Nestor Lorenzo showed himself to be the superior coach in Wednesday's semi-final.

Having eliminated Brazil in the quarter-finals, Uruguay crashed out in the last four as Jefferson Lerma's header clinched a 1-0 win for Los Cafeteros in North Carolina.

Uruguay were unable to level despite playing the second half with a man advantage, after Lerma's Crystal Palace team-mate Daniel Munoz was sent off for two bookable offences.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Bielsa outlined his belief that Uruguay had more talent available and it was his failings that cost them.

"Uruguay was in a clear condition to win this match if you assess the individual talent in each squad," the former Leeds United boss said.

"I manage the team that, in my opinion, had the stronger individual talent and we weren't able to make the difference that I thought we were going to make.

"I am personally liable for not achieving the result, despite having players that were capable of being superior.

"We were not able to seize our extra man advantage, and when a team wins with less individual talent, logically, the manager that is coaching the weaker team shows that he is superior than the coach that had the best players."

Uruguay only managed 11 shots amounting to 0.76 expected goals (xG) to Colombia's 1.18 despite Munoz's red card, leaving Bielsa to lament the scrappy nature of the game.

"The first half, even if we didn't dominate possession, it was very even, and we should have made the difference," he added.

"With one man down in the second half for Colombia, the match was completely interrupted.

"It was constantly stop-start. We should have created more chances, but we tried every possible way, every possible path."

Ten-man Colombia held firm as they edged past Uruguay 1-0 to book their place in the Copa America final.

The in-form team looked up to their usual tricks as Jefferson Lerma scored the winner in the first half, but they had to work hard to keep their impressive unbeaten streak alive.

Daniel Munoz's sending off on the stroke of half-time put Colombia under pressure, but they thrived under it, nullifying Uruguay's late attempts to salvage a result in North Carolina.

Chasing just their second-ever Copa America title, Los Cafeteros will play defending champions Argentina in the final on Sunday.

The tournament's highest scorers started brightly, with Munoz thumping a powerful header just wide of Sergio Rochet's post for Colombia.

However, the tide soon turned, and Darwin Nunez arguably should have had a first-half hat-trick as he missed a flurry of golden chances.

Twice he fired wide of Camilo Vargas' right post, sending the goalkeeper scrambling with the first as it flew inches wide, before lifting a third just over the crossbar from the edge of the box.

Colombia soon showed their threat from set-pieces though, with Lerma rising high to nod in a corner from James Rodriguez, who got his record-breaking sixth assist of the tournament.

Munoz received his marching orders shortly after though, having received a first booking for a sliding tackle on Maximiliano Araujo, he then foolishly elbowed Manuel Ugarte in the chest, leaving the referee no choice but to send him off.

Luis Suarez was given 25 minutes to make an impact in the second half and was inches away from doing so -  unmarked on the edge of the box, he rattled the post after putting his laces through a powerful shot.

Moments later, Federico Valverde sneakily tried to beat Vargas with a low strike into the bottom-left corner, but could only drill it wide of the target.

Kevin Castano had two glorious chances to secure the victory for Colombia in the dying minutes; he fired wide with the first, but was unlucky with the second as a big save by Rochet sent his effort onto the crossbar.

Uruguay come up short in front of goal

Coming into this match, Uruguay had conceded just once at the Copa America, in their opening match against Panama.

Despite ending a run of three clean sheets, that was not their focus. Instead, they were let down by their lack of a clinical edge in the final third. 

At the end of the group stages, Uruguay were the high scorers, having netted nine goals on their way to topping Group C, but in the knockout rounds, they failed to hit the back of the net.

Nunez had all four of their first-half shots without hitting the target once, and La Celeste struggled to use their man advantage in the second as they managed just two tame shots on target by the full-time whistle.

James makes history

James has gone through something of a renaissance at this year's Copa America, proving to be the star man for Nestor Lorenzo.

His assist for Lerma's opener was his sixth of the tournament, the highest tally by a player at a single edition on record (since 2011), surpassing Lionel Messi's tally of five from 2021.

He did not see out the whole game on this occasion – after picking up a yellow card for dissent, the head coach smartly took him off to make sure he would be available for the final.

Lerma's header was the fifth such goal scored by Los Cafeteros, while also bringing their tally up to eight goals from set-pieces.

They showed a different side to their game as they dug deep to get the all-important win, extending their unbeaten streak to 28 games, with Argentina awaiting them in the final.

Nestor Lorenzo is relishing Colombia's upcoming battle with Uruguay for a place in the Copa America final this Sunday. 

Colombia extended their unbeaten run to 27 matches following a 5-0 thrashing of Panama in their quarter-final match up last time out. 

But they are faced with a Uruguay side buoyed by their penalty shootout victory over Brazil in Las Vegas last weekend. 

Colombia's last defeat was a 1-0 loss to Argentina, who they could meet in the tournament's showpiece, back in February 2022. 

However, Lorenzo insisted that full focus was on the game at hand, saying that the record will be put to the back of his players' mind when they walk out on to the pitch at the Bank of America Stadium. 

"I don't mention the unbeaten record, it's about taking it one game at a time. This is the most important game for us," Lorenzo said.

Colombia are looking to reach their first Copa America final since winning the tournament back in 2001, while also extending their unbeaten run against their opponents to four matches. 

Lorenzo's side are the tournament's top scorers with 11 goals, but will come up against the competitions sternest defence, with Uruguay conceding just one goal so far -the fewest goals they have conceded in their first four matches of a Copa America since 1959. 

While Colombia's attacking quality has shone through thus far, the La Tricolor head coach is expecting an uphill battle against Marcelo Bielsa's outfit. 

"I don't know if these two teams have played the best football (in the tournament)," Lorenzo said. 

"But I think these are two teams that propose, that are not passive, that go out and look for the win and that will give a good show tomorrow.

"Uruguay, as well as having players in the best teams in the world and of great quality, have a very strong competitive spirit that strives for excellence.

"I think that's the biggest challenge, to compete at that level and play better.

"It's going to be an uphill battle but that's what we're aiming for." the coach added.

Marcelo Bielsa said Uruguay have no "plan B" in their attempts to stop Colombia's attacking talents ahead of their Copa America semi-final on Wednesday. 

Uruguay come into the contest at Bank of America Stadium off the back of a penalty shootout over nine-time champions Brazil, but face a stern test against La Tricolor.

Colombia's 5-0 triumph over Panama in the quarter-finals extended their unbeaten run to 27 matches, equalling their longest unbeaten streak in all competitions. 

James Rodriguez starred for Nestor Lorenzo's side, notching a goal and two assists, taking their team's total to 11 goals for the tournament so far. 

Bielsa praised Colombia's array of attacking talent and said his side would need to defend well to reach a first Copa America final since 2011. 

"You imagine the games by preventing the opponent from attacking and trying to attack," Bielsa explained. 

"You ask about plan B, but there is no plan B. We have to do the best we can.

"The reality is that you can't predict, but try to do what is most convenient for the type of game you play best.

"Colombia attack better than they defend, but we both know that we have to defend and then God will tell."

Uruguay have failed to beat Colombia in their previous three attempts, with their last victory coming in a World Cup qualifier back in 2020. 

The encounter will mark the third time the two sides have met in the semi-finals of the Copa America and Bielsa is wary of the threat they possess. 

"(Colombia) are a big rival, they're on a run of positive results, and there's also knowledge among the squad and the manager," Bielsa said. 

"Of course, having played Brazil can only be seen in one way, as the most demanding competition, and so is Colombia.

"It's a team that has strong players, a consolidated system of play and that has a lot of time and collective work behind it, which gives the style a certain unity."

Ronald Araujo will miss Uruguay's Copa America semi-final against Colombia and the rest of the tournament due to a hamstring injury.

The Barcelona centre-back sustained the muscle issue before the interval in Sunday's shoot-out victory over Brazil in the last eight.

Araujo was removed by Marcelo Bielsa, who sent on Atletico Madrid's Jose Maria Gimenez as Uruguay and Brazil shared a goalless draw across 120 minutes of action.

The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) confirmed on Tuesday that Araujo will not be available for the remainder of the competition, starting with Wednesday's last-four clash against Colombia.

"After the studies carried out, it was confirmed that it was a muscular injury," the AUF said in a short statement.

No timescales were provided by the AUF for Araujo's recovery, though reports in Spain suggest the 25-year-old could be out for up to two months.

Araujo will be a sore miss for Bielsa, with the defender leading all Uruguay players at the tournament for aerial duels won (18) and clearances (15).

Nestor Lorenzo says Colombia will not be satisfied unless they win the Copa America, with Uruguay next up for them in the semi-final.

Los Cafeteros are the in-form team at the tournament, and are on a 27-match unbeaten run in after their dominant 5-0 victory over Panama in the last round.

They have won all but one of their games at the Copa America so far, drawing 1-1 with Brazil in the other to secure top spot in Group D.

Colombia have only won the Copa America once before, back in 2001, and despite their fine run of form, Lorenzo says their tournament run will only be a success if they end their 23-year wait for a second title.

"To have a good Copa America is to win it," Lorenzo said. "It is not an abstract concept. The objective is to win every game we play, and the boys know that.

"[We take it] game by game. The goal is to win the next game. The most important game is the next one.

"We are confirming the importance of coming to the national team and wearing the shirt. They [the players] feel a great pride in being there and that is typical of players.

"In this team, they kill themselves for their teammates. We worked hard on that from the beginning. It's the way I feel about football from the technical direction."

Uruguay played out a goalless draw with Brazil before prevailing on penalties to book their place in the semi-finals.

Despite showing off their free-flowing play early in the group stage, their defensive solidity has pushed them forward in the competition as they have not conceded in any of their last three matches.

They now face off against the highest scorers in this year's Copa America, with head coach Marcelo Bielsa knowing they face a stern test against Colombia's attackers.

"Colombia has many forwards, which is not common today," Bielsa said. "There is more than one option for each level without much difference.

"The Colombian footballer has undergone a transformation. 'He' has always been creative, dominant, naturally competitive and has added the essentials to survive in today's football."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Uruguay – Jose Maria Gimenez

If Jose Maria Gimenez plays against Colombia, he will become the sixth Uruguayan player to reach 20 appearances in the Copa America, joining the ranks of Diego Perez, Roberto Porta (both 20), Schubert Gambetta (21), Fernando Muslera (22), and Angel Romano (23).

Colombia – James Rodriguez

James Rodriguez has provided five assists in this year's Copa America. One more assist will make him the first player to surpass this figure in a single edition since these records began in 2011, breaking the current record he shares with Lionel Messi (five assists in 2021).

He has also created the most chances so far (14) and got his first goal last time out in their win over Panama.

MATCH PREDICTION: URUGUAY WIN

Uruguay and Colombia are meeting for the third time in a Copa America semi-final. The first encounter was in 1975, with Los Cafeteros advancing to the final, while in 1995, La Celeste triumphed 2-0 and later claimed the title against Brazil.

Colombia are competing in the semi-finals for the seventh time since 1993, but have only reached the final once in that time, when they beat Mexico 1-0 to lift the title in 2001.

They have already equalled their most prolific scoring runs at the tournament, having netted 11 goals so far (also achieved in 1975 and 2001).

While Colombia's goalscoring has caught the eye, they now face the stingiest defence at the Copa America.

Uruguay have conceded just one goal (against Panama). It is the fewest goals allowed by La Celeste in their first four matches of a Copa America edition since 1959 – they won the title in Ecuador, conceding just one goal, and Bielsa's team are backed to win by Opta's supercomputer.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Uruguay – 46.2%

Draw – 25.1%

Colombia – 28.7%

Uruguay showed their character and the national team's "style" in their penalty shootout win over Brazil, so says Marcelo Bielsa.

Fifteen-time Copa America champions Uruguay progressed to the semi-finals at Brazil's expense with a 4-2 victory in the shootout after a 0-0 draw in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Uruguay, who have quickly adapted to Bielsa's full-throttle attacking approach, had to play out the last 20 minutes with 10 men after Nahitan Nandez was sent off for a lunge on Rodrygo.

It meant the usual offensive tactics had to make way for defensive ones, though from Nandez's red card onwards, Uruguay limited Brazil to just two attempts.

"Everything that happens, happens Uruguayan style, because the players are the ones that give their all to the team," Bielsa said.

"It was a match with very little goal opportunities, highly contested, very close, even with very little changes in possession.

"When we were one man down, we decided to dedicate ourselves to defending in our half.

"So holding on to that result as the Uruguayan team did shows the profile of Uruguayan football.

"They were very calm in the penalty shootout that demands not only accuracy but also character."

Uruguay have now kept three successive clean sheets, while they limited Brazil to 0.58 expected goals (xG), and their defensive resilience has pleased Bielsa.

"I am a bit more drawn to the offensive than the defensive game, but in a match that was as tight as this one, we created one more opportunity than our opponent and we defended well," Bielsa added.

"I do think that defensively, not because I achieved it but because the players are inherently good at defending, that they are very good at keeping a clean sheet."

This is the first time Uruguay have reached the semi-finals of the Copa America since the last time they won the trophy in 2011.

La Celeste had endured three consecutive quarter-final appearances without advancing, with two of those being decided by penalties (2019 and 2021).

Uruguay will face in-form Colombia, who hammered Paraguay 5-0, in the last four.

Dorival Junior has asked for time to complete his revamp of the Brazil national team after the Selecao's Copa America exit.

Brazil, nine-time Copa America champions, lost 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw with 10-man Uruguay in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Eder Militao and Douglas Luiz were unsuccessful from 12 yards, as a disappointing and often disjointed campaign for Brazil, who were without the suspended Vinicius Junior, came to a halt.

Dorival left out some big names for the tournament, while Neymar was absent through injury, and the coach, who was appointed in January, has reiterated the rebuild will require some patience.

He said: "We are undergoing a very important renovation or reinvention of this team.

"I have only coached this team for eight matches and this is a process that we have to go through.

"We are aware of the difficulties we will come across throughout the path, but we now lost a match in the knockouts and that wasn't what we expected."

Brazil are sixth in the South American qualification standings for the 2026 World Cup, and Dorival knows the Selecao must sharpen up.

"We have a lot of room to continue growing, evolving, improving and our main objective now is to qualify for the World Cup," he continued.

"Right now we are sixth in the standings, we are not comfortable with that."

Dorival did, however, point to Uruguay's rise back to form under Marcelo Bielsa as evidence that long-term projects can come to fruition.

"I think the Uruguayan national team has a pattern, a very well-defined pattern," he said.

"They have been working for a long time together. They had some problems at first, they corrected them.

"Now they are finding great results. I think we will achieve all that as well, not a doubt about it, but we need some time to make such corrections.

"We had some issues at the beginning of the tournament. I think we corrected plenty of mistakes. 

"It is tough given the period of time that we had to work to try to speed up the process. I think we'll have some more time in the future."

Brazil were dumped out of the Copa America by 10-man Uruguay, who survived Nahitan Nandez's red card to win on penalties after a bad-tempered, goalless quarter-final.

Marcelo Bielsa's team played the final 16 minutes a man down after Nandez was dismissed for a reckless lunge on Rodrygo, but with star winger Vinicius Junior suspended, Brazil were unable to find a winner and were made to pay in the shoot-out.

Sergio Rochet saved from Eder Militao before Douglas Luiz struck the post, and though Jose Gimenez squandered Uruguay's first chance to win it, Manuel Ugarte made no mistake with their next attempt.

They will now face Colombia in the last four after James Rodriguez inspired Los Cafeteros to a 5-0 rout of Panama, while Brazil's wait for a 10th Copa title goes on.

Brazil struggled to match Uruguay's intensity early on and survived a couple of close calls. Darwin Nunez saw a header hit Militao and drop just wide of the left-hand post before Mathias Olivera powered over the crossbar from the resulting corner.

The Selecao's first opening came just before the half-hour mark as Endrick intercepted a loose back pass from Matias Vina before finding Raphinha, who was just unable to get his shot off.

Uruguay lost Ronald Araujo to a hamstring injury 33 minutes in, and though the game became littered with fouls, both sides carved out chances before the interval.

Nunez should have done better when he headed Nandez's glorious right-wing cross over, then Raphinha twice shot straight at Rochet after scampering in behind.

Federico Valverde fired over after the break as the blood-and-thunder nature of the game continued. Referee Dario Herrera repeatedly dipped into his pocket as the challenges became ever more rugged, and with 74 minutes played, he brandished a red card.

Originally booked for catching Rodrygo in full flight with his studs high on his opponent's ankle, Nandez was given his marching orders following a VAR review. 

Penalties were Uruguay's goal from then on as they sacrificed Nunez for an extra defensive body and sat deep, and they got over the line as Endrick sent a tame effort straight at Rochet, making it three of four Copa quarter-finals to go to a shoot-out this year.

While Uruguay's first three kicks were perfect, Rochet got down to palm Militao's effort away and Luiz struck the left post, putting La Celeste on the brink.

Captain Gimenez was denied by a fine stop by Alisson, but Ugarte kept his nerve to blast his kick home and win the tie.

Uruguay battle through 

Alongside the vibrant atmospheres and silky skills on display at the Copa America, the tournament is often characterised by a little rough and tumble.

That was certainly the case on Saturday, with Uruguay's 26 fouls committed the highest figure recorded by any team at this year's tournament, the previous high being 20 (by three teams).

Endrick and Rodrygo were bullied out of the contest, even failing to make their mark after Nandez's terrible challenge on the latter gave the Selecao a one-man advantage. 

While Uruguay have won plaudits for their free-flowing approach under Bielsa at this tournament, it was their old grit that got them over the line on Saturday, with South America's great overachievers punching above their weight once again.

Penalty pain for toothless Brazil

Penalties were Brazil's nemesis at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as they were stunned by Croatia at the quarter-final stage, and it was a similar story here.

It was their failings in regulation time, however, that cost them.

After Nandez's 74th-minute dismissal, Brazil only managed two shots of any description. The first came from the free-kick that resulted from Nandez's foul, and the second was a tame 20-yard attempt from Endrick.

Endrick, remarkably, played the full 90 minutes and only completed one pass, from kick-off.

In total, the two teams managed just 21 touches in the opposing penalty areas, the joint-fewest in any game at this tournament, alongside Costa Rica versus Paraguay.

Luis Suarez admitted that "the flame is dying out" as he edges towards the end of his career.

Suarez is currently at the Copa America with Uruguay, who topped their group with three wins from three and are preparing for a quarter-final against Brazil.

Unlike in previous tournaments where he was the main man, the 37-year-old has been limited to just two substitute appearances so far, with Marcelo Bielsa steering the side towards younger talents.

Despite only playing for eight minutes in total, Suarez, who is Uruguay's all-time top scorer with 68 goals, is determined to enjoy what is likely his final major tournament for his country.

"I'm enjoying every moment very much," Suarez told AUF TV.

"It is something that at my age, as you get older, you enjoy it more and more whether you're playing a lot or playing a little, because you know that the flame of football is dying out.

"I'm just one more [player in the squad], you've already seen it. Playing or not playing, I'm happy with the part I'm doing and trying to help as much as I can."

While Suarez was at Atletico Madrid, head coach Diego Simeone described a crucial period in the 2020-21 title race as entering the 'Luis Suarez zone', as they used his experience to get them over the line.

With Uruguay, though, Suarez is putting his faith in the young players to get the job done against Brazil.

"I hope [the zone] doesn't appear in this Copa because that would mean that Uruguay is doing well and that it's not necessary," the forward added.

"If it's needed, we'll be there because we hope to write another chapter in the national team.

"This group gave a very big blow in the World Cup qualifiers by beating Brazil and Argentina. They earned that power on the pitch by showing that they can beat anyone.

"The time has come to prove it, and it's a great test for us."

Dorival Junior confirmed Endrick will earn his first start for Brazil ahead of their Copa America quarter-final with Uruguay. 

Endrick will replace future Real Madrid team-mate Vinicius Junior after the Ballon d'Or hopeful picked up his second yellow card of the tournament against Colombia. 

The teenager, who has scored three goals in nine appearances for the Selecao Canarinha, will join Raphinha and Rodrygo in attack for the fixture at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

"The attack has already been decided. Raphinha, Endrick and Rodrygo. I hope we can continue finding the way to goals," Junior said.

"I think the work focuses on giving athletes the possibility of attacking the opponent's last line. We hope Endrick is very well prepared to deliver on everything we expect from him.

“We lost an important player, but we gained a player who has been emerging, looking for an opportunity. Who knows, this could be Endrick's moment."

Brazil scored five goals in their group fixtures at the tournament, four of which came in the first half, their highest tally since 1999 at that stage of the competition (5).

Raphinha netted his seventh international goal in Brazil's final Group D fixture against Colombia, but insisted that Endrick's arrival in the starting line-up would not affect his role in the side. 

“My role on the field does not change. Endrick plays another position. We have that profile of adapting quickly to any position," he said. 

"My position on the field is not going to change. It will change depending on one or another player and the circumstances of the game.”

Dorival, meanwhile, said Brazil were under no illusions about the challenge of facing a Uruguay team who finished top of their first round group with a 100% record.

"They are a team that deserves all our respect," the Brazilian coach said.

"This could be a semi-final or the final of the Cup. We are rivals who know each other and respect each other and it will be a great match."