NEWS
OTHER SPORTS
DIARY
PEOPLE
MATCH REPORTS
SLIDE SHOW
ARCHIVES

Uruguay too hot for Chile in penalties

Uruguay reached the Copa America final yesterday, beating Chile 5-3 on penalties after the teams had drawn 1-1 in a dismal semi-final.

Mauricio Aros saw Chile's second penalty saved by Fabian Carini while Uruguay converted all their shots.

Defender Alejandro Lembo gave Uruguay, who reached the final despite resting their European-based players, a first half lead with Ivan Zamorano equalising. Extra-time is not played in the Copa America.

Zamorano claimed his third goal of the tournament but his striking partner Marcelo Salas, returning from a two-match suspension, capped a wretched performance by missing a penalty.

The game, played in a near-deserted Chaco stadium, was possibly the worst of a tournament, which has generally provided excellent entertainment.

Play was scrappy and the number of serious scoring chances could be counted on one hand.

Both sides finished third in their first round groups, going through under the rule which allows two third-placed teams to progress. The mediocrity of yesterday's encounter appeared to confirm that their quarter-final wins over Paraguay and Colombia were flukes.

Alejandro Lembo put Uruguay in front with his first team's real attack, rising to head in a corner by Walter Coelho in the 23rd minute.

Three minutes later, Chile's Jose Luis Sierra hit the crossbar with a 30-metre free kick. In the melee that followed Chile were awarded a penalty for a foul on Salas as he was challenged by a defender.

Salas took the kick himself, only to add to the tournament's long list of penalty missers as he struck his kick against the bar.

Chile's equaliser in the 63rd minute also came from a Sierra free-kick. This time, he floated the ball into the area and Zamorano took advantage of a rare lapse in concentration by Uruguay to head in from an unmarked position.

Chile coach Nelson Acosta was sent off for dissent in the only incident of note after Chile's goal.

UNI