Diego Forlan celebrates after Uruguay beat Argentina on penalties to reach the semi-final of the Copa America. Photograph: Marcos Brindicci/ReutersUruguay stunned reached the Copa America semi-finals at the expense of Argentina with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory following a 1-1 draw after extra time. The Uruguay goalkeeper, Fernando Muslera, was in inspired form making several important saves throughout the match but none bigger than when he stopped Carlos Tevez's effort in the shootout to send the hosts spinning out of the tournament.
Uruguay shocked the home side by taking the lead in the sixth minute from a set piece. Diego Forlan's inswinging free kick from the left was headed back across goal by defender Martin Caceres and midfielder Diego Perez slid in to score.
But Argentina equalised 11 minutes later when Lionel Messi sent in a delightful curling cross towards the far post where Gonzalo Higuain ghosted in behind the defence to glance a header past Muslera.
Uruguay were reduced to 10 men in the 38th minute when Perez, who had been booked for going in on Javier Mascherano with his studs showing, was shown another yellow card for a bodychech on Gonzalo Huguain.
Argentina were unable to make the added man count with Muslera frustrating Higuain with a stunning reflex save. Indeed the 10-men of Uruguay could have won the game when Forlan raced onto to a through ball from Luis Suarez but the Argentina goalkeeper, Sergio Romero, was quick off his line to block.
Argentina were reduced to 10-men when captain Mascherano was sent off three minutes from the end of the 90 minutes for a harsh second booking.
Extra time failed to separate the sides and so the game went to penalties. Uruguay scored all five of their spot kicks and Muslera was the hero when he stopped Tevez's blasted effort.
The World Cup semi-finalists will now face Peru in Tuesday's semi-final.
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