The first half of the Copa America semifinal between Uruguay and Peru went exactly how it was supposed to. Uruguay were the favorites and absolutely dominated the first 45 minutes. They controlled possession and stretched the Peru defense. They weren’t contested in the middle third and found space in the final third. They played crosses in and created chances. Peru’s attack was almost non-existant and at no point did it feel like Peru had any chance to win the match. Amazingly though, Uruguay couldn’t break through and for all their dominance it is still scoreless at the break.
Copa America 2011 Semifinals, Uruguay Vs. Peru: First Half Ends Scoreless
It took just minutes for Uruguay to get their first chance, but Luis Suarez sent it wide. Another time Raul Fernandez was called upon and he answered with a fantastic stop from right in front of goal before diving on the rebound to dent the Uruguayans. Twice crosses that looked bound for unmarked players were blocked at the last minute by a diving Peruvian defender and when Uruguay finally put the ball in the goal, Arvalo Perieira was whistled for offisde to nullify the goal.
At some point common sense would dictate that Uruguay scores. They have been utterly dominant, but this has been a strange Copa America. It wouldn’t be out of character for this tournament if Uruguay’s chances continued to find ways to not result in goals, while Peru only generates one chance and it results in the game-winning goal. At this point in Copa America, who knows? If Uruguay doesn’t turn their dominance into a goal soon, things will get interesting.
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