Brazil reaches final of Copa America

---

Brazil's players celebrate after defeating Uruguay in their Copa America Venezuela 2007 semifinal match in Maracaibo, Venezuela. Brazil won 5-4 in a penalty shootout after the teams finished their regular time 2-2. — Photo: Internet

MARACAIBO (Venezuela), Jul 11 (AFP): Brazil advanced to the final of the Copa America on Tuesday with a dynamic 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Uruguay.
With the sides locked at 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes, the game went straight to penalties and skipper Diego Lugano missed the crucial spot kick for Uruguay to send Dunga's side through.
Brazil went ahead after 12 minutes when Uruguay keeper Fabian Carini could only parry Mineiro's shot and Maicon converted the rebound.
The match then had to be stopped for 13 minutes due to one of the four floodlights failing but after lengthy discussions, the players agreed to carry on.
Julio Baptista sent a free kick just wide before Brazil keeper Doni did well to deny both Diego Forlan and Alvaro Recoba just after the half-hour mark However, Uruguay's pressure paid off as Forlan took advantage of a mistake by Doni to draw his side level in the 36th minute.
But parity lasted a mere five minutes as Baptista got on the end of Gilberto Silva's free-kick to put Brazil back in front at the break.
Sebastian Abreu livened up a pedestrian second period with the equalizer 20 minutes from the end as the substitute applied the finishing touch to Forlan's header at the far post.
In the shootout, Doni saved Forlan's opening penalty for Uruguay before Carini kept out Afonso's effort with Brazil leading 3-2.
With the scores all-square at 4-4, Fernando missed for Brazil, giving Pablo Garcia the chance to be the hero but the Osasuna midfielder hit the post.
Gilberto then scored and Doni denied Lugano to send Brazil through to Sunday's final as they bid for their eighth Copa America title, while Oscar Tabarez's men will play for third place.