LAS VEGAS — Brazil coach Dorival Junior stated he takes “full duty” for his workforce’s underwhelming Copa América quarterfinal exit after shedding to 10-man Uruguay 4-2 in a penalty shootout on Saturday.
“Such a work requires a large amount of endurance,” stated Dorival, who took cost in January, after the defeat at Allegiant Stadium.
“I do must acknowledge that these weren’t the anticipated outcomes, and I take full duty for them, however I do assume as effectively that this workforce has nice room to develop and evolve and enhance.”
Regardless of having a one-man benefit after a pink card given to Uruguay’s Nahitan Nández within the 74th minute, Brazil failed to interrupt the impasse because the feisty encounter that includes a tournament-high 41 fouls completed 0-0 after 90 minutes to go to penalties.
Within the shootout, Éder Militão and Douglas Luiz failed to search out the online for Brazil, whereas Alisson Becker denied Uruguay defender José María Giménez. Nevertheless, Manuel Ugarte transformed the successful spot kick to ship Uruguay into the final 4 and Brazil to an early exit.
Brazil head house after incomes only one win within the group stage earlier than being defeated by Uruguay within the first knockout spherical.
The end result additionally represents a downward flip for the Brazilians, who had been finalists (2021) and champions (2019) within the two earlier editions of the Copa.
“It is a course of; usually, you come throughout difficulties once you’re making a workforce,” stated Dorival, whose workforce was with out the suspended Vinícius Júnior within the quarterfinal.
“This was our first official event, and the end result was removed from what was anticipated … our important goal now’s to qualify for the World Cup.”
Dorival, who has simply eight video games beneath his belt, defended his gamers after they solely not too long ago wrapped up their membership campaigns earlier than the competitors.
“A lot of them joined us after lengthy seasons,” Dorival stated. “Contemplating what we noticed on the coaching periods and on daily basis, I feel we will nonetheless develop as a workforce … many individuals won’t perceive, issues are like this once you’re making a workforce from scratch. There are ups and downs in soccer.”
It’s the second consecutive loss for the Seleção in opposition to Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay, after being defeated 2-0 in October’s World Cup qualifier, throughout which Brazil star Neymar tore his left ACL.
Whereas Bielsa is famed for his high-pressing soccer, Uruguay’s coach was requested if Saturday’s win was extra reflective of the “Uruguayan model,” having wanted to play extra defensive with a person down.
“Every thing that occurs, occurs in Uruguayan model,” stated Bielsa. “It was a match with only a few objective alternatives … after we had been one man down, we determined to dedicate ourselves to defend in our half. However sure, we did not have very many second-half objective alternatives.”
With the victory, Uruguay continued their unbeaten run within the Copa and maintained their upward trajectory beneath Bielsa since his hiring in Might 2023.
Regardless of Uruguay’s 15 Copa América titles, tied for probably the most with Argentina, it’s the first time Uruguay have reached the semifinals since their earlier championship in 2011.
They will subsequent face Colombia on Wednesday with a spot within the last on the road. Nevertheless, it stays to be seen if they’re going to be capable to name upon defenders Matías Viña and Ronald Araújo after each had been pressured off with accidents in opposition to Brazil.
“Within the case of Viña, it wasn’t a muscle harm, however there was a degree of wear and tear down,” Bielsa stated.
“Araújo, there’s a muscle harm I feel that might be confirmed tomorrow or after the related medical examination.”
On the opposite aspect of the bracket, Argentina will face Canada in a semifinal on Tuesday.
The Copa América last might be staged on July 14 in Miami Gardens, Florida.