Uruguay devour Chile in shoot-out

The reward for Uruguay is a place in Sunday8217;s final against the winners of the other last four match between favourites and reigning champions Brazil and Mexico tomorrow.

The first 20 minutes were very cat-and-mouse with both sidesreticent in coming forward. The only threats to either goalkeeper came from long range with Federico Bergara testing Chile8217;s Marcelo Ramirez and Jose Luis Sierra stinging the hands of Uruguay custodian Carini.

But Uruguay8217;s movement was more impressive and after 23 minutes they took the lead. Gabriel Alvez forced a corner after a slick passing movement from Uruguay.

Pablo Garcia floated the ball in towards the far post where it was met by Bella Vista star Lembo who shrugged off a challenge from his Chilean marker Zamorano to head the ball in off the post past Ramirez. Within three minutes, however, Chile had a golden opportunity to square the match.

Sierra crashed a freekick from 35 yards against the bar with Chile striker Salas, restored to the line-up after missing two games through suspension, tumbling under a challenge from Alvaro Picun as he went for the rebound.

Paraguayan referee Ubaldo Aquino, who awarded five spot kicks in Argentina8217;s Group C match with Colombia, had no hesitation in pointingto the spot despite furious protests from the Uruguayan defenders, who obviously believed the Lazio striker had dived.

Salas picked himself up but crashed the penalty kick against Carini8217;s crossbar.

Uruguay wasted a good chance to go 2-0 ahead three minutes into the second period. A superb passing move released Fabian Coelho on the right. The midfielder centred to Marcelo Zalayeta who failed to connect properly with the goal at his mercy.

It was a rare blemish for the Juventus striker, who spent last season on loan with Empoli. He has three goals to his credit in the Copa so far.

Next Zamorano tested Carini with a header although the young Uruguayan dealt with it easily.

But within sixty seconds Zamorano had another chance and this time there was nothing Carini could do.

Sierra8217;s left foot floated in a precise freekick and the Inter Milan striker lost his markers to bury the header into the far corner and square the match.

It was the Chilean captain8217;s third goal of the campaign. With 20 minutesleft tempers frayed and Aquino, who sent off Argentinian coach Marcelo Bielsa in the Colombia game, ordered Chile boss Nelson Acosta from the dugout. Acosta had to be escorted to the stands after he made a blistering verbal tirade at the Paraguayan official.

Garcia was then given his second yellow card ruling him out of contention for the final.

Uruguay finished the match the strongest. Carini, one of many youngsters blooded by Passarella and Pua, saved Chile8217;s second kick from Aros and with the other young guns betraying no sign of nerves at the spot it was left to Magallanes to seal the victory.