Mauricio Isla scored a dramatic winner to secure Chile’s place in the Copa America semi-finals after an ill-tempered encounter with nine-man Uruguay.

The defending champions frustrated Jorge Sampaoli’s men for much of the contest, holding the hosts at arm’s length despite their territorial dominance.

Jorge Valdivia impressed throughout, although not even he could force the breakthrough. However, the game’s dynamic changed when Edison Cavani was shown a second yellow card for striking the face of Gonzalo Jara - leaving Uruguay with no outlet on the counter attack.

From then on the Chilean pressure was incessant. And they finally found the breakthrough after 81 minutes when Isla smashed home a strike from 15 yards to give Chile the advantage they had threatened for so long.

Uruguay were reduced to nine man late in the match, when Jorge Fucile was also shown a second yellow - with a scuffle breaking out between the two sides.

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