Las Vegas is famous for many things but football is miles apart from that list. However, 6 July saw a different avatar of the city, as football fever gripped the Allegiant Stadium in Nevada, Las Vegas.
After all, the Americans don’t get to see two powerhouses of world football clash at the Copa America quarter-final. As Uruguay squared off against Brazil, temperatures were raised in this fouled ridden match.
Both teams going through a resurgence
Uruguay has won the Copa America 15 times with their most recent success coming in 2011. Since then however, their golden generation gradually slipped away into a swift decline with La Celeste (Uruguay national team) crashing out in the group stage of the recent 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Nevertheless, hoping to reignite their football prowess, under legendary coach Marcelo Bielsa, the Urguayuans have had an impressive undefeated run in this Copa America, with a major five nil win against Bolivia in the group stage.
On the other side of the pitch, Brazil-The kings of world football have had a similar trajectory. The Selecao (Brazil football team) have not won the FIFA World cup since 2002 as their golden generation featuring the likes of Ronaldinho, Kaka R Carlos and Ronaldo Nazario all hung their boots in the past decade.
Yes, they were the champions of the 2019 Copa America with a strong young squad that went on to perform reasonably well in the 2022 FIFA World Cup but still, that their performance was not upto the ‘Brazil’ standards.
This time with experienced players like Thiago Silva, Casemiro and Gabriel Jesus not making the cut and superstar Neymar Jr missing the tournament due to injury, this Brazil squad lacked ‘Joga Bonito’ spirit. In a further blow to the yellow shirt, Real Madrid star striker Vinicius Jr missed the game due to back to back yellow card suspension.
A boring draw without a goal
The initial minutes of the game saw several off range attempts by Uruguay’s illustrious striker Darwin Nunez and defender Mathias Oliviera and a high blasted free kick by Raphinha from Brazil.
However, the game began in the truest sense as Darwin Nunez failed to convert a free header in front of goal with an inch perfect pass by Nahitan Nandez. The Selecao too signaled that they were up and about as Raphinha dribbled past Uruguay captain Federico Valverde but shot straight at goalkeeper Sergio Rochet who blocked the attempt with ease.
La Celeste played with a brute physical force throughout the game. They gave Brazil forward Endrick very little room to display his magic. The 17 year old rising star was fouled heavily throughout the match, marking a definite Bielsa strategy to stop the youngling. It was a rough clash as 41 fouls were committed throughout 120 minutes with a red card to Nandez and four yellow cards also being shown.
Uruguayan midfielder Maximiliano Araujo’s long distance shot was decent but a comfortable save for Allison Becker who routinely practices such saves during his training sessions at Liverpool.
Marquinos blocked another shot from Nunez in the 52nd minute of the game while Endrick’s shot in the 83rdminute was saved comfortably by Rochet.
In what could have sealed the deal for the sky blue shirts, Uruguay’s stoppage time free kick from scoring range was blasted to the stands by Captain Federico Valverde as an anxious Luis Suarez looked on from the dugout.
Penalties alone were the most exciting part of the game
This was the moment where Brazil missed their star strikers the most, especially with Paqueta and Raphinha also being substituted.
Brazil had their first penalty saved as Eder Militao’s shot was stopped by Rochet as a helpless Vinicius Jr looked on from the stands. It was incredible to see how confidently Rochet stood up to the spot kick challenge, reminding the sky blue fans of yesteryears goalkeeper Muslera.
The yellow shirts went on to miss another penalty as Douglas Luiz who replaced Paqueta did send Rochet the wrong way but his shot hit the left goalpost, giving Uruguay the advantage.
While Allison was able to save Jose Maria Gimenez’s match winning shot giving his nation a lifeline, Manuel Ugarte’s shot in the next round went past Allison, thereby knocking the Selecao out of the Copa.
It was sad to see Brazil bow out of the tournament in such an unimpressive fashion but Raphinha embracing Bielsa, his former Leeds Coach was a wholesome moment that warmed many hearts.
Uruguay go on to face Colombia in the semifinal on 11 July at 5:30 AM IST