Chile booked their place in the semi-finals of the Copa America, with a 1-0 win over Uruguay in Santiago.
In a bad-tempered affair, both sides had chances to break the deadlock in the first half but the game sparked into life after the break when Edinson Cavani was sent off for Uruguay.
Twenty minutes later Mauricio Isla's fierce drive put La Roja into the lead, before further drama when Los Charruas's Jorge Fucile was shown a second yellow card for a bad challenge.
This prompted a long break in play as tempers flared, and both sides clashed for several minutes. When play resumed, Chile held on to win and register their first quarter-final win in four attempts.
Follow how the game unfolded below.
Hello, good morning and welcome to Sports Mole's live text commentary as Chile take on Uruguay in the first Copa America quarter-final.
The hosts are arguably the most in-form team of the tournament so far, but Uruguay are a resilient bunch and have a fine record at this stage of the competition. This is not to be missed.
Chile breezed through their group with two wins, a draw and 10 goals, which makes them the favourite for tonight's game. In contrast, Uruguay stumbled through with a win, a draw and a defeat, and reached this stage as a lucky third-placed team.
TEAM NEWS: Chile have made one change tonight with former Wigan Athletic full-back Jean Beausejour dropping out to be replaced by Eugenio Mena. Meanwhile, Uruguay have recalled star defender Diego Godin.
CHILE: Bravo, Isla, Medel, Jara, Mena, Aranguiz, Diaz, Vidal, Valdivia, A Sanchez, Vargas.
URUGUAY: Muslera, M Pereira, Gimenez, Godin, Fucile, C Sanchez, Rios, Gonzalez, Rodriguez, Rolan, Cavani.
Uruguay fans will be relieved to see Edinson Cavani in the starting lineup. Rumours had suggested that the striker was set to miss the match due to a problem with his father back home. Uruguay fans will be especially pleased considering his potential replacement was Abel Hernandez, who has just finished a disastrous season with Hull City!
Uruguay may not be in ideal form heading into this fixture, but they have history on their side. Not only are they the defending champions, but they have won their last six Copa America quarter-finals and have a winning head to head record against Chile by 43-17.
Their quarter-final record is far better than Chile's in recent times. La Rojo may have been in four previous finals, but they have their last three last-eight ties to Mexico, Brazil and Venezuela respectively.
PREDICTION: With Diego Godin back in the team, Uruguay immediately become a much harder team to face. However, Chile have a frightening forward line, a boisterous home crowd behind them and the form to back them up. I'm going for a 3-1 win.
There is a tremendous atmosphere inside the Estadio Nacional! There is a sea of red and blue in the stands, and the loud singing makes it an electric atmosphere. It's about to go up several notches, as both sets of players lurk in the tunnel.
The players are now out in the middle and ready for the national anthems...I'm not convinced we'll be able to hear Uruguay's above the singing of the home crowd.
Chile's fans pipe down long enough for Uruguay to get through their anthem...and then blow the roof off during theirs!
The formalities are now complete. Kickoff is imminent!
KICKOFF! Chile get us underway!
CLOSE! Brilliant sliding tackle from Isla prevents Cavani getting in on goal in the opening minutes! A long ball forward catches Chile cold, and Uruguay are in. Diego Rolan tries to slip him in but Isla slides in to stop him on the edge of the box.
SHOT! Uruguay put pressure on the Chile backline, but it's wasted as Cristian Rodriguez shoots way over the bar from the edge of the box.
This is a very positive start from Uruguay, who have more territory in the final third. It comes to nothing, but it's the not the start Chile were expecting.
SHOT! Much, much better from the hosts, who attack with such pace down the right. A clipped ball from Valdivia is played back to Isla, who surges forward with power down the wing. His cross loops up to Eduardo Vargas in the box, and his acrobatic volley sails over the bar. That's just a glimpse of Chile's attacking potential, and it's frightening.
Chile are playing with a much higher temp now, but Uruguay have done well to limit their time in the final third. It's a heated game too, with tackles flying in.
Vidal is coming deep to pull the strings now, but his fellow superstar Alexis Sanchez is yet to get into the game. Chile are bossing possession, and Uruguay have everyone back inside their own half.
SHOT! And bang! Just like that Alexis Sanchez is in the game, and threatening defenders with his outstanding control and movement. The Arsenal star is found in the box by Vidal's pass despite being closely marked. He shifts his weight from left to right and back again, before curling an effort towards goal. It takes a deflection though and kindly loops into the keeper's arms.
CHANCE! Uruguay remind the hosts how dangerous they are on the counter, as they surge up the other end of the pitch. Maxi Pereira is in acres of space down the right, but his low cross is in front of Cavani, and Claudio Bravo clings on.
YELLOW CARD! This is certainly a fiery old game as Chile's Valdivia becomes the first man to be booked for a late tackle.
Chile are favouring the right-hand side down which to attack. Another gorgeous pass from Valdivia over the top releases Sanchez. His fails to keep it in, but Uruguay are struggling to pick up the runner.
CLOSE! What a brilliant effort from Uruguay's Carlos Sanchez, who races on to a loose ball 30 yards from goal and hits a first-time volley. It dips, swirls and curls marginally past the post, although Bravo looked comfortable.
Handbags alert! Uruguay players are angry with Vargas, who dived in at goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who ran out to smother a Valdivia through ball before it reached the striker. A lot of pushing and shoving takes place, but the referee waves them away like he would silly school boys.
CHANCE! Uruguay are sitting very deep, but Chile are doing very well to find pockets of space. Again, it starts down the right as a low cross is flicked by Vargas into the path of Charles Aranguiz. His low effort is easily saved by Muslera, but it was another good chance.
YELLOW CARD! Uruguay will be happy to survive to half time at this rate, as Chile remain well on top. However, they will need to keep 10 men on the pitch, which they are lucky to do as Cavani makes a rash tackle, collects a booking and then berates the referee.
Wasted free kick from Sanchez, who tries to be cute and find Valdivia on the edge of the box for a volley. However, Uruguay rush out en masse and stop him getting a shot away.
CHANCE! Excellent from Chile, whose one-twos and quick feet keep Uruguay running one way and then the other in the box. Eventually, Aranguiz tries to find Sanchez with a cross, but it's slightly too far in front of him and he can't direct a header on target.
SHOT! More clever play from Sanchez, who cuts in from the left and shoots marginally over the bar. He bamboozles defenders with his timing of shots, and Uruguay are struggling to keep him in check right now.
SAVE! Chile are all over Uruguay, and Muslera is forced into a save to stop Vidal scoring again in this competition. The all-action midfielder receives the ball 25-yards out and fires a curling shot towards goal, which Muslera punches clear.
Uruguay win a rare corner...
...but Bravo brilliantly punches it to safety.
YELLOW CARD! Stupid, cynical and needless from Jorge Fucile, who becomes the second Uruguayan to be booked for a trip by the touchline.
YELLOW CARD! Uruguay are finishing the half very strongly as they look for the opening goal. Two set-pieces come to nothing before Isla hacks down Pereria and earns a yellow.
HALF TIME: CHILE 0-0 URUGUAY
The half comes to an end, and Uruguay will be happy with the score after they were outplayed for much of it.
Chile were impressive with their passing and moving, but they will be disappointed that they failed to make more chances considering the amount of possession they had. Uruguay sat back and defended manfully, and the outstanding Godin marshalled them well.
The game was littered with half-chances, but perhaps the two best of the half fell to Uruguay. Edinson Cavani almost got through on goal in the opening minutes, while Carlos Sanchez flashed a volley inches wide from outside the box.
That will certainly make the hosts nervous and you can guarantee that they will be aware that Uruguay have won their last six quarter-finals.
There are plenty of positives for Chile to take though. They dominated the game, Vidal and Valdivia were exceptional in midfield, Sanchez was busy up front and Vargas caused problems leading the line. If they produce more of the same, then they should eventually break through.
It has been a very feisty affair too. We've seen four yellow cards so far, and more are sure to come.
The players are starting to gather for the second half in Santiago, and we'll be back underway shortly!
KICKOFF! Uruguay get the second half underway.
It's a good start to the half from Chile, who keep the ball impressively, testing and probing Uruguay's backline.
SAVE! Another snarling effort from Vidal forces Muslera to make a save. This time he cuts in from the right and whips a fine left-footed shot towards the top corner. Muslera covered it off though and caught the ball impressively.
SHOT! Wow, what a goal this would have been from Cavani! The ball drops for him 35 yards out and he hits a first-time crisp volley, which flies inches over the bar. Great effort.
SHOT! Uruguay's defending from crosses and set-pieces has been outstanding, and they see off another attack. The ball falls to Marcelo Diaz on the edge of the box, but he blazes it high and wide.
CHANCE! What a big chance this is for Diego Rolan!! A long free-kick falls for him in the box, and he instinctively fires it towards goal from eight yards. Sadly for him, it goes straight at Bravo.
That Uruguay chance was a big warning for Chile...Is there a sense of an upset tonight? Uruguay have certain been dangerous enough.
SUBSTITUTE! Uruguay are the first side to make a change as Rondon pays for that missed chance by coming off to be replaced by Abel Hernandez.
SAVE! Muslera denies Vidal for a third time, as he keeps out a header from close range. The cross from Diaz hung in the air, and Vidal did well to get an effort on target considering he was attacking from a tight angle.
RED CARD! Uruguay are down to 10! And Edinson Cavani has completely lost his head out there! The striker picks up a second yellow card for an off-the-ball incident and has to be restrained by teammates as he confronts the referee. It's a long way to full time for Uruguay now.
Cavani is seething! He's left the pitch, but he can be seen in the tunnel looking very unhappy as he talks to officials.
YELLOW CARD! Things are getting very heated out there now. Alexis Sanchez demands the referee to take action over a tackle in the corner, before he's hacked down by Maxi Pereira on the halfway line. Pereira deservedly goes into the book.
Chile are really going for it now, but Uruguay continue to defend resolutely. Godin has been outstanding at the back, as he always seems to be.
SUBSTITUTE! Chile make a double change as Mauricio Pinilla replaces Eduardo Vargas, and Matias Fernandez comes on for Marcelo Diaz.
SAVE! A tame end to a promising move. Chile think they're in when Pinilla plays a neat one-two with Sanchez, but Godin gets a vital leg in the way of the ball. It falls for Vidal, but his soft volley is easy for Muslera to keep out.
CHANCE! Why on earth didn't Alexis Sanchez shoot?? Brilliant from Chile down the right, in a move which results in a low pull-back for the Arsenal man. However, instead of shooting first time, he takes a heavy touch and loses the ball.
CLOSE! Wow!! Chile have their hearts in their mouths as a Rodriguez pass finds Carlos Sanchez on the right. He decides to whack the falling ball on the volley and it swerves inches past the post. Bravo was clearly beaten, while Sanchez looks to the heavens in frustration.
Are we heading for penalties? (There is no extra time in the Copa America). It's looking likely right now. Neither side can create that one big chance.
CLOSE! How on earth has this stayed out?? A wicked Sanchez corner is allowed to bounce in the six-yard box, before it curls out of play for a goalkick. Replays show several heads were millimetres away from flicking it in.
GOAL! CHILE 1-0 URUGUAY (ISLA)
GOAL: It's been coming, and finally Chile have the breakthrough! Valdivia plays a simple pass into the feet of the full-back on the edge of the box, and he smashes it hard and low into the corner.
YELLOW CARD! Chile earn another booking as substitute Pinilla goes into the box for a tough tackle.
SUBSTITUTE! The excellent Valdivia waves goodbye to the fans as he trots off to be replaced by David Pizarro. Meanwhile, Uruguay send on Jonathan Rodriguez for Carlos Sanchez.
Uruguay are trying to get up the pitch, but Chile remain in control.
It's all kicking off in Santiago! A tackle by the touchline has not gone down well and both sets of players are pushing each other around. This will take some sorting out!
RED CARD! Right, Uruguay are down to nine men after the referee gives a second yellow to Fucile for a late tackle. He deserves it, but he doesn't think so as he screams and yells at the assistant! A push in the chest of the official from one of his teammates doesn't go down well with the referee, and a shoving match starts between both sets of players. Crazy stuff.
What horrendous behaviour from both Godin and Muslera, who both try to intimidate the referee by screaming in his face and standing over him. They're very lucky to stay on the pitch.
There could be some very long bans for Uruguay's men when the officials review the tape. Giminez is the man who shoved the official, while even Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez was on the pitch.
Meanwhile, were finally back underway but I don't hold any hope for Uruguay now.
CHANCE! Vidal should kill off the game when he is played into space 18 yards out. The keeper rushes out, but he bends his effort wide.
FULL TIME: CHILE 1-0 URUGUAY
Finally the referee brings an end to this ugly affair. Chile are through to the semi-finals, but the headlines will all be about Uruguay's horrendous discipline.
Uruguay put up a strong fight until Mauricio Isla smashed the ball in from the edge of the box, in what proved to be the winning goal. However, more poor behaviour from Tabarez's men have severely marred this contest.
Now all the fun is over, that is it from me this morning. Do join us again at the same time tomorrow as Bolivia take on Peru and let's hope for a less hostile game! Until then though, have a good night.
Written by
Charlie Bennett
Charlie Bennett
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