LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Amid the glitz and glamour of a Saturday night in Las Vegas, one of the city's standout acts was a combative but courageous Uruguay that beat Brazil to book its place in the Copa America semifinals.
A narrow quarter-final win with 10 men at Allegiant Stadium – marking two surprising consecutive unbeaten runs against the CONMEBOL giants dating back to last year – was eventually secured by winning a 4-2 penalty shootout after the match ended goalless. Uruguayan coach Marcelo Bielsa and his players are now one result away from a coveted spot in the championship match.
It is worth noting that this weekend against Brazil, they achieved this with Bielsa's high-risk strategy, similar to that of those who sit in casinos and at the gaming tables a stone's throw from the NFL headquarters.
“If you ask me if there are risks [with my playing style]”There are risks,” said the Argentine coach before the match.[But] If you ask me how to attack better, taking risks or not taking risks, it is better to attack by taking risks.
“You can't tell a player to go out and play, but it's impossible for him to make a mistake.”
Even in a game where a major mistake occurred, such as the red card Nahitan Nandez received in the second half, Bielsa found a way to make his gamble pay off. It is results like this for his teams that make him a cult hero in the football world, who has gained notoriety for his eccentric nature, but also for his tenacity in maintaining his style of play.
Bielsa started the match with his usual aggressive, high-pressing approach against the Brazilians. Unafraid to throw his men forward but also to engage in tough tackles, his approach was fearless as his team hemmed in their opponents and turned the match into a Las Vegas-style boxing match. The tempo changed slightly after central defender Ronald Araújo suffered an injury that forced a substitution in the 33rd minute, but by the start of the second half Uruguay were once again overwhelming their opponents with a total of 26 fouls.
“It was a very even game, a very contested game, there were very few offensive opportunities and we had to run all over the pitch to create them,” Bielsa said after the match. “The players are naturally good at defending. We have to say that they are very good at keeping clean sheets.”
Constantly trying to win the ball back and proactively moving it forward, there was admirable spirit from the players in the nation of just 3.4 million people that is known for punching above its weight; Uruguay have won two World Cups and 15 Copa America titles in their history, and last reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2018.
Bielsa's lively tactics have suited a team fighting for victory, but the coach's plan can also lead to precarious moments. Eager to regain possession, Nandez made a mistake by lunging at Brazilian Rodrygo, earning himself a red card in the 74th minute. And yet Uruguay held on even though they had to hold back.
“When we were one man down we decided to focus on defending in our own half,” Bielsa said.
There were still hints of Bielsa’s mentality and spirit to be seen, though. Sure, Uruguay fell behind in the latter stages, but they also occasionally tested the limits of their 5-3-1 formation by progressively advancing up the pitch in a handful of moments. Interestingly, despite their disadvantage against Brazil and general lack of shots on target, Uruguay ended regulation time with a higher xG (0.89 to 0.58).
Biela's men had won the match with determination and it was no surprise that they came out on top in the penalty shoot-out. After a Sergio Rochet save in the first shoot-out, Uruguay had the momentum that would lead to Manuel Ugarte scoring the decisive penalty. In front of more than 50,000 spectators who had battled the 46-degree desert heat earlier in the day to get into the indoor venue, the Uruguayan fans in the stands (and some in the press box) erupted into frenzied, euphoric cheers.
The game felt chaotic, but it became pretty obvious that Bielsa, who moves between his usual seat on a cooler and his slow walk down the touchline, can thrive in this situation. Whereas other managers would have been more cautious, Bielsa doubled down on his bet on Sin City and stuck to his strategy of taking risks against the five-time World Cup winners. However, the manager himself noted that he can sometimes fall prey to the emotion of the match.
“Today was very suspenseful and you know how suspense works in humans,” he said. “When it's impossible to foresee how situations can be resolved, it leads to explosive emotions and I'm vulnerable to that too.”
However, the Argentine and his squad took the prize at the end of the penalty shoot-out, and on Wednesday they will be rewarded with the semi-final against Colombia. Time will tell how the match develops, but one thing is certain: Bielsa will not mind giving his risky style another chance.
