Host nation Chile defeated the defending champions Uruguay 1-0 in Santiago to advance into the semi-finals of the Copa America. The game was an intense close fought contests with the hosts coming out on top thanks to a goal ten minutes before the end, the referee had a major input on the game; dishing out two red cards to Uruguay as Edinson Cavani and Jorge Fucile.
It took just five minutes for the referee to intervene as Aranguiz was lectured due to his challenge on Diego Godin; this was an indication to how the game will be played, the referee needing to take control in the early stages to ensure tempers didn’t boil over.
The first chance for the hosts fell to Eduardo Vargas, the Chilean attack has been the best of the competition, scoring the most goals so far, and the attacking threat of Chile was present from the early stages of the game. Vargas’ volley was way off target but was a warning for the Uruguay defence as Chile managed to ease their way through the defence early on and come close to opening the scoring.
Arguably Chile’s best player of the competition so far has been Jorge Valdivia, the Palmeiras playmaker has caused problems for the opposition in every game he has played so far as his vision and trickery has been a joy to watch, Valdivia demonstrated his ability throughout the game, the first sight of the midfielder came in the 12th minute as he left Fucile for dead with a wonderful piece of skill in the middle of the park to provoke a dangerous attack from his side. Valdivia really has shone in the competition so far and will be a contender for player of the tournament in the Copa America, Chile’s number 10 has been pivotal in their success to this point and he has been the focal point of their attack, despite the pace and power Alexis Sanchez.
Uruguay’s Carlos Sanchez came close to edging his side in front, the River Plate winger lashing a volley across the face of goal and nearly finding the far corner, an audacious effort from the winger to unnerve the Chileans.
The game was heated from the get go and tempers came close to boiling over once again in the 22th minute as a collision between Vargas and Muslera was the catalyst of arguments between the players once again. Uruguay felt Vargas’ challenge was over the top, but the ball was there to be won and he was entitled to go for it.
The game really started to heat up and the tempers of players on both sides were showing, the red card was destined to be shown at some point.
Chile created a good chance to open the scoring in the 26th minute, good play down the right hand side once again from Isla, playing the ball to Valdivia who created space for Aranguiz with a lovely dummy to sell the Uruguay defender, but Aranguiz’ effort was straight at Muslera.
Valdivia once again was causing problems for Uruguay as he found Alexis Sanchez at the back post with a cross, but the chance was cleared by the stretching leg of Fucile.
Arturo Vidal tried his lucky from distance with a powerful effort which was met the hands of Muslera, the Juventus midfielder looking for his 4th goal of the tournament.
The game was goalless at half time but was not lacking in excitement or quality, Chile looking the more likely of the sides to score with Uruguay looking set up to defend and try and counter or use set pieces to threat Claudio Bravo.
Uruguay had the best chance of the game to open the scoring the 52nd minute, a searching free kick into the area landed at the feet of Rolan, but the effort lacked any real power and Claudio Bravo was down to save it.
The first red card of the game came in the 63rd minute, Edinson Cavani was judged to have raised his hand and hit Gonzalo Jara in the face, the replays show Cavani did make contact with the player, but Jara ensured he received the red as he went down easily. It has not been a good tournament for the Uruguayan striker, who in the build-up to the game was doubtful to play due to his dad being involved in car accident and then he completely lost it, getting sent off and putting forcing his side to play the remainder of their quarter final with 10 men.
The red card forced Uruguay into further retreat as they invited Chile to attack for the remainder of the game, but Chile were unable to find their way through; Arturo Vidal have numerous chances to put his side in the lead but being denied by Muslera.
Carlos Sanchez once again had a rare chance for Uruguay with another audacious volley from distance, the winger’s effort once again just going wide of the post, a close call for Chile.
After persistent attacking Chile eventually found the goal they were searching for, a cross from the left hand side was cleared by Muslera but only to Valdivia who smartly played the ball to Isla who drilled home into the far corner from the edge of the box; jubilation for Chile as they took the lead 10 minutes from time to put the hosts in pole position to advance into the semi-finals.
Fucile received the second red card for Uruguay in the 88th minute, the defender chopped down Alexis Sanchez which resulted in more arguments and fighting between the players and the officials, it was a poor challenge from Fucile and merited the red card, surprisingly no one else was dismissed despite constant pushing and shoving between the officials, the players and the coaching staff.
Vidal came agonizingly close to doubling Chile’s lead in the 5th minute of stoppage time but he was denied by a superb save from Muslera, keeping the score at 1-0.
The game finishing 1-0, hosts Chile eliminating the defending Copa America champions thanks to a late winning goal from Mauricio Isla, an exciting game to kick-start the quarter finals of the competition, although there was unsavoury scenes throughout the game the game was excellent and overall a game which epitomises South American football. Chile will face off against the winner of Bolivia vs Peru, the hosts will surely fancy their chances in reaching the final and possibly winning their first ever Copa America, and what better place to do so than in their home country.
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