Uruguay, Brazil cruise into semis at Copa America
Monday, 9 July 2007
SAN CRISTOBAL (Venezuela), Jul 8 (AFP): Uruguay rolled over host Venezuela and Brazil routed Chile to reach the semi-finals at the Copa America football tournament here Saturday.
Uruguay crushed Venezuela's Copa America dream with a 4-1 demolition.
Diego Forlan grabbed a brace, while Pablo Garcia and Cristian Rodriguez were also on target in the last eight encounter as Oscar Tabarez's men gatecrashed the party of 40,000 people packed into San Cristobal's Pueblo Nuevo stadium.
The result came as even more of a surprise given the fact the two sides had played out a goalless draw just four days earlier and Uruguay had scored only one goal in finishing third in Group A.
In another one-sided contest, Robinho scored twice as Brazil crushed Chile 6-1. The 23-year-old Robinho scored in the 28th and 51st minute as Brazil led 3-0 at the half.
The 'Celestes'dominated much of the first half of their match and created several chances. Pablo Garciawas first to test goalkeeper Ronnie Vega with a long-range effort before Maximiliano Pereiradrew a good save from the Venezuelan stopper.
The hosts then threatened through Ricardo Paez, but the midfielder's attempt went straight into the hands of Fabian Carinibefore strikerJuan Arangosent a header narrowly wide.
However, Forlan opened the scoring after 37 minutes, when he was picked out by Diego Garcia in the box and beat Vega with a powerful strike.
But Venezuela hit back almost immediately as, three minutes later, Mallorca star Arango found the back of the net with asuperb free kick to send the sides in level at the break.
Uruguay crushed Venezuela's Copa America dream with a 4-1 demolition.
Diego Forlan grabbed a brace, while Pablo Garcia and Cristian Rodriguez were also on target in the last eight encounter as Oscar Tabarez's men gatecrashed the party of 40,000 people packed into San Cristobal's Pueblo Nuevo stadium.
The result came as even more of a surprise given the fact the two sides had played out a goalless draw just four days earlier and Uruguay had scored only one goal in finishing third in Group A.
In another one-sided contest, Robinho scored twice as Brazil crushed Chile 6-1. The 23-year-old Robinho scored in the 28th and 51st minute as Brazil led 3-0 at the half.
The 'Celestes'dominated much of the first half of their match and created several chances. Pablo Garciawas first to test goalkeeper Ronnie Vega with a long-range effort before Maximiliano Pereiradrew a good save from the Venezuelan stopper.
The hosts then threatened through Ricardo Paez, but the midfielder's attempt went straight into the hands of Fabian Carinibefore strikerJuan Arangosent a header narrowly wide.
However, Forlan opened the scoring after 37 minutes, when he was picked out by Diego Garcia in the box and beat Vega with a powerful strike.
But Venezuela hit back almost immediately as, three minutes later, Mallorca star Arango found the back of the net with asuperb free kick to send the sides in level at the break.