Copa America: Suarez misses penalty as Peru shocks Uruguay to reach semifinals

Peru rarely tested Uruguay in their Copa America quarterfinal, but Luis Suarez's missed spot-kick proved costly in a shock defeat.

Peru players celebrate after winning the Copa America quarterfinal against Uruguay through penalty shootout (5-4).

Luis Suarez missed his spot-kick as Uruguay suffered a 5-4 penalty shoot-out defeat to Peru in the Copa America quarterfinals following a 0-0 draw in Salvador.

Edinson Cavani squandered a glorious chance midway through the first half, while Diego Godin was guilty of similar profligacy after the interval as Peru hardly tested its opponent at the other end.

Uruguay, which also had a goal disallowed in the first half, twice fell foul of tight offside decisions after Godin's miss – both Cavani and Suarez denied by the flag and subsequent VAR checks.

And Uruguay's misfortune continued in the shoot-out – Pedro Gallese making a fantastic save from Suarez's opening penalty, with Edison Flores later stepping up to clinch Peru's place in the last four, where defending champion Chile awaits.

Peru's Pedro Gallese saves Luis Suarez's penalty during the Copa America 2019 quarterfinal clash between Uruguay and Peru.

Suarez's deflected shot created a superb opportunity for his strike partner in the 23rd minute, but Cavani somehow blazed over an open goal from six yards out. Giorgian de Arrascaeta then thought he had put Uruguay ahead, only for his strike to be disallowed for offside.

Godin lashed wildly over from close range as Uruguay kept up the pressure – the offside flag then coming to Peru's rescue again when Cavani's goal was ruled out just before the hour.

Uruguay was denied for a third time when Suarez's tap-in was chalked off 12 minutes later, as penalties were required for the third time in four quarterfinal ties.

And despite failing to test Fernando Muslera at all during the match, 2015 semifinalist Peru made its good luck count, converting five excellent spot-kicks to secure progression after Suarez had seen his effort brilliantly saved by Gallese.

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Uruguay players look dejected after losing 4-5 in the penalty shootout against Peru in the Copa America 2019 quarterfinals. Luis Suarez (sitting) missed the opening penalty.

 

What does it mean? Defending champion Chile has little to fear

While Chile was less than convincing against Colombia, Peru's backs-to-the-wall display should not have struck fear into the two-time defending Copa America champion. Chile should be confident that – with a rejuvenated Alexis Sanchez in its ranks – it has the quality to make it to a third successive final as long as it does not replicate Uruguay's wasteful finishing.

Gallese proves Peru's shoot-out hero

Suarez's penalty was struck with plenty of power, but Gallese was brave, diving to his right and making himself big to make the stop which set his team-mates up to secure Peru's progression.

Miss of the tournament from Cavani?

Cavani could well have avoided the drama of penalties – and ultimately spare Suarez's blushes – had he converted an easy chance in the first half. The ball fell to him on a plate, but despite having the entire goal to aim at, he managed to slice it over.

What's next?

Peru will face Chile, which edged past Colombia on penalties in their quarterfinal, on Wednesday, with a place in the final against either Argentina or host Brazil up for grabs.