The highly anticipated Copa America 2024 quarterfinal match between Uruguay National Football Team vs Brazil National Football Team Lineups was an exciting match that ended in a 0-0 match after just 120 minutes. Uruguay defeated Brazil with a 4-2 penalty shotout which secured their spot in the semifinals. In this article we will examine the teams’ lineups and focus on the strategic setups, crucial battles, as well as the result of the game.
Uruguay National Football Team Lineup
Under the guidance by Marcelo Bielsa under Marcelo Bielsa Uruguay National Football Team played this game with a the goal of ensuring defensive stability and swift counter-attacks. The formation picked to be used by Bielsa was a 4-2-3-1 focusing on compact defense and taking advantage of Brazil’s weaknesses in attack.
Uruguay Starting XI (4-2-3-1 Formation)
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Sergio Rochet |
| Right-back | Guillermo Varela |
| Centre-back | Jose Gimenez |
| Centre-back | Ronald Araujo |
| Left-back | Matias Vina |
| Defensive Midfield | Manuel Ugarte |
| Central Midfield | Federico Valverde |
| Central Midfield | Rodrigo Bentancur |
| Right Wing | Facundo Pellistri |
| Left Wing | Maximiliano Araujo |
| Centre Forward | Darwin Nunez |
The defensive unit, anchored by Jose Gimenez and Ronald Araujo, was strong as was Sergio Rochet played a vital contribution to keeping Brazil from being a threat with a number of crucial saves. The midfield was supported to the right by Manuel Ugarte who offered excellent protection for the defense. On the offensive side, Federico Valverde has created many opportunities, and Maximiliano Araujo and Facundo Pellistri gave the width needed to make rapid transitions. Darwin Nunez‘s pace was crucial in counter-attacks.
Brazil National Football Team Lineup
Under the leadership of Dorival Jr., Brazil National Football Team used an orthodox 4-2-3-1 formation that relied on possession-based play, and creating width on the flanks. Even though the Brazilian team was the most dominant with regards to possession, they were unable to penetrate Uruguay’s organized defense.
Brazil Starting XI (4-2-3-1 Formation)
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Alisson Becker |
| Right-back | Danilo |
| Centre-back | Marquinhos |
| Centre-back | Eder Militao |
| Left-back | Guilherme Arana |
| Defensive Midfield | Joao Gomes |
| Central Midfield | Bruno Guimaraes |
| Right Wing | Raphinha |
| Central Attacking Midfield | Lucas Paqueta |
| Left Wing | Rodrygo |
| Centre Forward | Endrick |
In the absence of Vinicius Junior suspended the seventeen-year old Endrick took his debut for Brazil. He brought energy and youthfulness into the attack line but Brazil had a difficult time exploit the attacking positions. The midfield pair comprised of Bruno Guimaraes and Joao Gomes did their best to keep the pace in check however, the team was unable to make the Uruguayan defensive line difficult. Raphinha as well as Rodrygo was used to give width, however Uruguay’s precise marking and discipline in defense kept Brazil’s wingers mostly ineffective.
Key Tactical Battles in Uruguay vs Brazil Lineups
1. Midfield Control: Valverde vs Guimaraes
The midfield fight with Federico Valverde of Uruguay and Bruno Guimaraes of Brazil was among the most important elements of the game. Valverde’s flexible and box-tobox playing style enabled Uruguay to quickly change from defensive to attacking. Guimaraes On the other hand, attempted to dictate the game for Brazil however, he was frequently constrained due to the pressure from Uruguay’s midfield. This battle played a major part in Uruguay’s ability to keep their defensive structure intact while presenting an attacking threat.
Also Read: Kerala Blasters vs FC Goa Lineups: Key Predicted XI and Match Insights
2. Wing Play: Pellistri & Araujo vs Raphinha & Rodrygo
Both teams depended heavily upon their forwards to enlarge the defense of their opponents. Uruguay’s Pellistri and Araujo made the most of the space along the flanks, whereas Brazil’s Raphinha and Rodrygo were aiming to pass crosses and create scoring opportunities. But both sets of full-backs were disciplined and neither team could cut down an opponent’s defense with wing plays.
3. Striker Duel: Nunez vs Endrick
The duel of strikers among Darwin Nunez (Uruguay) along with Endrick (Brazil) proved to be a fascinating aspect of the game. Nunez who is known for his speed and physicality was able to create a few chances, but was unable to score on the net due to Brazil’s strong defense comprising Marquinhos along with Militao. Endrick who made the debut of his career for Brazil displayed glimpses of brilliance, but was unable to get the backing needed to challenge Uruguay’s goal.
The Match Outcome: Uruguay Wins on Penalties
Following 120 minutes of scoreless football, the game went to penalties. Uruguay National Football Team stood their ground and converted all four of their penalties. Manuel Ugarte scored the decisive penalty, which resulted in Uruguay advance 4-2 after penalties in the shootout, while Brazil failed to convert two spot kicks. Despite having the upper hand in possession, Brazil’s inability score during the shootout resulted in their exclusion from the competition.
Uruguay vs Brazil Head-to-Head Record
The long-standing battle of Uruguay National Football Team and the Brazil National Football Team is a riot of tension and drama. Here’s a quick an overview of their head-to-head record:
| Competition | Matches | Brazil Wins | Uruguay Wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copa America | 26 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
| FIFA World Cup | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| World Cup Qualifiers | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| International Friendlies | 42 | 23 | 10 | 9 |
Brazil has the most successful head-to-head record, with 38 wins, whereas Uruguay has been a winner 21 times. There have been 22 draws during the total of 81 matches between the two South American giants.
Looking Ahead: Future of Uruguay and Brazil
Uruguay’s victory over Brazil in the penalty shootout means that they will now face Colombia for the Copa America 2024 semifinals. However, Brazil will be focusing on reworking their plans for the coming international competitions, hoping to get back on track after their unsatisfactory loss.
Conclusion
The Uruguay National Football Team against Brazil National Football Team lineups in the Copa America 2024 quarterfinal showcased the very best in South American football, with the ability to play with discipline, individual brilliance and intense rivalries being the main focus. Both teams played their best however the difference the Uruguay‘s skilled penalty-taking that won the win. In coming the Copa America semifinals on the near future, Uruguay’s strong performance will help them gain the confidence to fight to win the trophy. While they wait, Brazil will be forced to regroup and work on improving their attack and penalty shootout performances for the next competitions.