Brazil Has a Way With Finishing

Goalkeeper Julio Cesar blocked Vicente Sanchez’s shot, and Brazil beat Uruguay, 5-3, on penalty kicks Wednesday to reach the final of Copa America against archrival Argentina.

The teams had finished their semifinal match tied, 1-1, after regulation.

Marcelo Sosa scored on a header to put Uruguay ahead in the 22nd minute, and Adriano tied the score less than a minute into the second half.

“The best two teams have reached the final,” Brazil Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said.

Uruguay will play Colombia for third place on Saturday in Cuzco, Peru, ahead of Sunday’s final.

Brazil’s goalkeeper dived to his left to stop Sanchez’s kick with Brazil leading, 4-3. Alex then scored the deciding goal past Uruguay goalkeeper Sebastian Viera.

“I misplayed the ball in Uruguay’s goal, I should’ve made the save,” Julio Cesar said of the regulation goal that he gave up. “It was important that I could make up for that in the shootout.”

Luisao, Luis Fabiano, Adriano, Renato and Alex all scored for Brazil. Dario Silva, Viera and Omar Pouso scored for Uruguay.

Uruguay came out strong in the first half, controlling the pace and creating scoring chances.

Brazil was caught by surprise, failing to impose its style. Only in the second half did the five-time World Cup winners match their South American rival.

“Uruguay played organized and very aggressive in the beginning, it was a perfect first half,” Uruguay Coach Jorge Fossati said. “But unfortunately we had to play the shootout at the end, which is always like a lottery.”