Brazil qualify for Copa America semifinal

Brazil have qualified for the semifinal of the Copa America after defeating Chile 1-0 in a fiercely-contested quarter final on Friday.

Brazil was reduced to ten men in the contest decided in Rio following a straight red card shown to Gabriel Jesus in the 47th minute.

Brazil should have opened the scoring on 20 minutes when Neymar picked out Roberto Firmino at Claudio Bravo’s far post, but the Liverpool striker missed the target altogether when he looked more likely to score.

Manchester City goalkeeper, Ederson made a smart save soon after to keep the score goalless as he went down to his right to keep out an Eduardo Vargas shot after the Chile attacker had fooled Thiago Silva with a pair of moves on a solid individual effort.

Jesus had a good chance to fire Brazil in front shortly before half-time after being played in by Neymar, but his shot was tipped well over the bar by Bravo and the teams remained level at 0-0 at the break. Second-half substitute Lucas Paqueta scored 60 seconds after coming on, volleying home from close range after a neat bit of build-up play from Brazil.

The fireworks to start the second half continued when Jesus was sent off for a harsh high kick that caught Eugenio Mena in the face and shoulder. Chile then threw the kitchen sink at Brazil ad they desperately sought the equalizer.

Brazil however produced some white knuckle defending to keep the Chileans at bay and boom a semi final ticket. The result means Brazil will face Peru, who beat Paraguay earlier in the day, in the semifinal round of the Copa America.

The other quarter-finals will be played on Saturday, featuring Argentina against Ecuador and Uruguay playing Colombia.

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