Uruguay furious as Chile advance in Copa battle

SANTIAGO: Chile sent nine-man Uruguay crashing out of the Copa America on Wednesday, winning a bruising quarter-final 1-0 as controversy over lurid provocation tactics rocked the tournament.

An 81st-minute strike from Juventus defender Mauricio Isla settled a pulsating encounter at Santiago’s Estadio Nacional as holders Uruguay saw striker Edinson Cavani and defender Jorge Fucile sent off.

Fucile’s dismissal for a second yellow card in the closing minutes triggered a mass confrontation involving players and officials from both sides, with even Uruguay’s veteran coach Oscar Tabarez coming onto the pitch.

But the post-match commotion focused around the dismissal of Cavani, who flicked a hand into the face of Chile defender Gonzalo Jara after a clash midway through the second half.

Camera footage of the moments leading up to the flashpoint, however, appeared to show Jara attempting to insert his finger into Cavani’s anus, prompting the Uruguay player’s reaction.

Tabarez later defended the actions of the Paris Saint-Germain striker, arguing he had been provoked.

“For the expulsion of Cavani, you can see what happened and what the challenge was. I refer you to the television and photos of it, it is all there,” said Tabarez as images of Jara’s actions swiftly went viral on social media.