Venezuela 1-4 UruguayFourteen-time Copa America champions Uruguay put on an outstanding performance and eliminated hosts Venezuela 4-1, with two goals from star striker Diego Forlan.
First Half
The Uruguayans, who have won 14 Copa America titles, piled the pressure on the Venezuelans right from the kick-off and almost took the lead on 2 minutes when Diego Forlan's powerful long distance effort was saved by Renny Vega in the Venezuela goal.
The Uruguayans, who have won 14 Copa America titles, piled the pressure on the Venezuelans right from the kick-off and almost took the lead on 2 minutes when Diego Forlan's powerful long distance effort was saved by Renny Vega in the Venezuela goal.
Minutes later Uruguay should have taken the lead with another Forlan effort, but his shot was saved by Vega's foot. The Uruguayans continued to attack the nervous Venezuelans, who haven't ever beaten Uruguay in the Copa America.
In the seventh minute Cristian Rodriguez laid the ball to an unmarked Forlan in the box, but the striker incredibly shot wide when he had the goal at his mercy.
In the 14th minute Fernando De Ornelas found the back of the net for Venezuela, but his effort was disallowed for being clearly offside.
Uruguay were playing their best half in the tournament by a mile, and continued to pressure the Venezuelans. They almost went ahead with an effort from Pablo Garcia, and then another from Maxi Pereira.
In the 30th minute Uruguay had another opportunity. This time Forlan should have put them ahead, but somehow shot wide of the right post.
Finally in the 38th minute Uruguay took the lead through Forlan. Andres Scotti put him through and the Atletico Madrid striker finished off clinically.
A few minutes later the Venezuelans were on level terms with a brillianty executed Juan Arango free-kick. And although they didn't deserve it the Venezuelans went into the break tied.
Second Half
Venezuela started strongly in the second period, and almost went ahead with an Arango effort, that was kept out by Fabian Carini in the Uruguay goal.
After the match settled down abit, Uruguay looked dangerous and almost scored when a Diego Perez effort flashed wide of Renny Vega's right post.
Uruguay took the lead with twenty minutes gone in the second half with an outstanding Pablo Garcia finish from outside the box. The Celta Viga midfielder curled the ball into the left corner of the goal, after a good attacking combination.
The Uruguayans should have extended their lead with a little more than five minutes remaining but Vega beat Forlan to the ball after a good Uruguay attack.
Cristian Rodriguez added Uruguay's third with an outstanding strike with two minutes remaining in the second half.
Forlan sealed the emphatic 4-1 victory after latching on to a rebound from Venezuela goalkeeper Vera. The Uruguayans clearly deserved their victory after an outstanding display, and with meet the winner of Brazil and Chile in the semi-finals.
Line-ups
Venezuela: Renny Vega, Hector Gonzalez, Alejandro Cichero, Jose Manuel Rey, Jorge Rojas, Luis Vera, Miguel Mea Vitali, Ricardo David Paez, Juan Arango, Giancarlo Maldonado and Fernando De Ornelas. Manager: Richard Paez.
Uruguay: Fabian Carini, Andres Scotti, Diego Lugano, Dario Rodriguez, Maximiliano Pereira, Diego Perez, Pablo Garcia, Cristian Rodriguez, Jorge Fucile, Alvaro Recoba and Diego Forlan. Manager: Oscar Washington Tabarez.
Goals: Diego Forlan (38', 90'), Juan Arango (41'), Pablo Garcia (65'), Cristian Rodriguez (86').
Stadium: Pueblo Nuevo, San Cristobal. Att: 43,000
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