Copa America: “We wanted to put Brazil back on top”, Brazilians disappointed after their elimination against Uruguay in the quarter-finals

Le Brésil avait perdu en finale contre l’Argentine lors de la dernière édition en 2021. EPA – ALLISON DINNER

Sans idée, le Brésil a été éliminé aux tirs au but 4 à 2 (0-0) samedi à Las Vegas (Nevada, États-Unis) par l’Uruguay et son jeu rugueux, qui affronteront la flamboyante Colombie en demi-finale.

The Euro football tournament played in Germany therefore does not hold a monopoly on closed matches, as Brazil and Uruguay proved on Saturday.

Often rough and sometimes violent, the Uruguayans committed 26 of the 41 fouls in the match, ending the match with ten men after the expulsion of Nahitan Nandez for an uncontrolled tackle directly on Rodrygo's ankle ( 74e).

Endrick lonely in the absence of Vinicius

Between the fouls, the rolls and the incessant protests, a few flashes of football crossed the meeting, notably at the feet of the Brazilian prodigy Endrick, established at 17 at the forefront of the attack in the absence of Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr., suspended.

Endrick hurt the Celeste defenders with his ball catches and dribbling, but was particularly targeted by the Uruguayan defenders, for shots in the game, from the first minute, or sometimes far from the ball and the player's gaze. ;rsquo;referee.

The young striker missed a great opportunity in the 28th minute, hesitating too much between shooting and passing. A mistake followed by another by the Uruguayan Darwin Nunez, who missed a header from six meters completely alone (35th).

"I'm sad. We want to put Brazil back at the top, but unfortunately this time it was not the case. We will continue to work", said Endrick, future Real Madrid player, to the daily O Globo.

Only one victory in four matches for Brazil

Weaned from chances, Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay held on until the penalty shootout, where goalkeeper Sergio Rochet stopped Eder Militao's attempt, before to see Douglas Luiz shoot at the post.

A save by Alisson against Jose Maria Gimenez was insufficient for Brazil, eliminated by a successful shot from Paris midfielder SG Manuel Ugarte.

"I prefer attacking football to defensive football, but I have to appreciate the fact that we had one more chance than our opponents, counted Bielsa. We defended well with one player less for 15 minutes, at this level it's worth emphasizing."

The Brazil of coach Dorival Junior, who won only one of his four matches in the competition, leaves the Copa America with his head down, without ever having found the recipe in the game despite a team made up of experienced players, but deprived of Neymar, injured.

"We didn't play at a very high technical level, but I don't regret anything in this match. We displayed a combative state of mind, the team never got discouraged", indicated the Brazilian technician.

After three successes in the group stage, Uruguay showed the muscles to win the right to challenge Colombia in the semi-final, flamboyant winner of weak Panama (5-0) earlier in the day.