Uruguay knocked hosts Argentina out of the Copa América on Saturday after goalkeeper Fernando Muslera saved Carlos Tevez’s spot kick to give his side a 5-4 win on penalties.
Uruguay took an early lead through Diego Perez, who was then sent off seven minutes before halftime. Argentina equalised through Gonzalo Higuaín and saw Javier Mascherano red carded shortly before the end of the 90 minutes. The match produced no more goals in extra time and finished 1-1.
Uruguay will now meet Peru in the semis after they beat Colombia 2-0 in Saturday’s other quarter-final.
Uruguay shocked the home side by taking the lead in the sixth minute from a set-piece. Diego Forlán’s free kick from the left was headed back across goal by defender Martin Cáceres and midfielder Pérez slid in to score.
Argentina equalised 11 minutes later when Lionel Messi sent in a curling cross towards the far post where Higuain ghosted in behind the defence to score with a downward header.
Uruguay were reduced to 10 men in the 38th minute when Pérez, who had been booked for going in on Mascherano with his studs showing, was shown another yellow card for obstruction.
Despite being a man down, Uruguay looked just as dangerous as Argentina with Forlán’s free kicks always a menace, although the hosts did more of the attacking with Messi delivering plenty of trademark passes into space for the forwards.
Argentina created a brilliant chance in the 79th minute when Messi chipped over the defence to Higuaín, who swivelled on the spot and his rising shot was turned over for a corner by Muslera.
At the other end, Luis Suárez put Forlán through into the box but Sergio Romero was quick to block.
As the 90 minutes ran down, Mascherano fouled Suárez and was booked for the second time and sent off.
Muslera made another crucial intervention in the final minute, first saving substitute Tevez’s free kick then blocking Higuaín’s close-range effort from the rebound.
In added time, Suárez turned a defender twice on the right but his cross was just too high and Forlán headed over.
Higuaín hit the near post with a shot from a tight angle with Muslera beaten just before the end of the first half of extra time and Forlán went just wide with an effort right after the team changed ends.
-With Buenos Aires Herald input
