Rage against the machine: Chile defeats Uruguay in violent quarterfinal at Copa America
Eight yellow cards including two that triggered red cards, devastating tackles, a skirmish that threatened to end the fixture prematurely, and so much more.
What transpired at the Copa America on Wednesday night is tough to sum up in words. Although Chile escaped with a 1-0 victory over Uruguay, the match will be remembered for everything but the goal. 90 minutes of madness and anger consumed the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos, resulting in the type of entertainment normally witnessed in the terraces and not on the pitch.
Most notably, in what can only be described as something most supporters have never seen and will never see again, Edinson Cavani - whose father was arrested ahead of the game after being involved in a fatal car crash - received a second yellow card for hitting Gonzalo Jara. Replays showed that Jara had - for lack of better terminology - stuck a finger in Cavani's butt.
The final whistle signaled glory for Chile ...
... and heartbreak for Uruguay.
Here's what you need to know about the brutal showdown in Santiago, Chile:
The Goals
81st minute - Mauricio Isla, Chile: Just when it looked like Uruguay might be able to survive its numerical disadvantage, La Celeste finally succumbed to Chile's relentless pressure. After Uruguay was unable to clear the ball from its own third, Jorge Valdivia played an excellent pass to Mauricio Isla, who fired a low shot through traffic and past the outstretched fingertips of Fernando Muslera, turning the former detention center into a mosh pit.
Man of the Match - Mauricio Isla
Chile took the pitch with a four-man backline rather than a three-man, a tactic that forced wing-back Mauricio Isla into a more defensive role.
Nonetheless, his name stood alone on the scoreboard following a performance in which he commanded the right flank, showed composure when Uruguay was in possession of the ball, and joined Chile's attack at all the right times, particularly following Cavani's red card.
By the time the final whistle sounded - and it couldn't have come soon enough given the violence - Isla had ensured that his face will be on the cover of each and every Chilean newspaper on Thursday.
The 1,000 Words
"Hijo de puta!"
Stray Thoughts
- It's been 16 years since Chile last appeared in the semifinals. On that occasion, La Roja coincidentally missed out on an appearance in the final after falling to Uruguay in a penalty shootout.
- Jorge Valdivia, who is often criticised for his laziness, produced a sublime display that ranks among his best at the international level.
- No match at this edition of the Copa America has triggered more yellow cards than this one (eight yellow cards including two seconds).
- Spare a thought or two for Edinson Cavani. After performing poorly in the group stage, his father was arrested on Monday following his involvement in a fatal car crash that killed a 19-year-old motorcyclist. Cavani decided to play through his emotions, which were visible on the pitch, and the result was a cruel sending-off. No one came blame him for calling referee Sandro Ricci a "ladron" and an "hijo de puta."
- While Cavani's second yellow card was debatable, there can be little argument over the second yellow card that Jorge Fucile received for a reckless challenge on Alexis Sanchez. Although a number of Uruguay's players probably shouldn't have shoved the linesman, their frustration was understandable.
- One can only imagine what Alvaro Gonzalez was saying when this picture was taken:
