Brazil throught to final after penalties.

Written by Nicholas Savage , 11.07 12h18

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Brazil beat Uruguay on penalties in an ill-tempered Copa America semi-final.

Brazil went ahead in the 13th minute after a break down the right ended with Fabian Carini superbly saving Mineiro's shot only for Maicon to snap up the rebound.

However, Uruguay's pressure paid off as Forlan took advantage of a mistake by Doni to draw his side level in the 36th minute.

But parity lasted a mere five minutes as Baptista got on the end of Gilberto Silva's free-kick to put Brazil back in front at the break.

Carini was made to work to keep out Robinho's free kick from the edge of the area just after half-time before Sebastian Abreu livened up a pedestrian second period with the equaliser 20 minutes from the end as the substitute applied the finishing touch to Forlan's header at the far post.

After a tense extra time it came to penalties. Doni saved Forlan's opening penalty for Uruguay before Carini kept out Afonso's effort with Brazil leading 3-2.

With the scores all-square at 4-4 Fernando missed for Brazil, giving Pablo Garcia the chance to be the hero but the Osasuna midfielder hit the post.

Gilberto then scored and Doni denied Lugano to send Brazil through to Sunday's final as they bid for their eighth Copa America title, while Oscar Tabarez's men will contest the third-placed play-off.

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