<!--Article Start--> <h2 style="text-align: justify"><strong><em>Hosts Chile sent nine-man Uruguay crashing out of the Copa America on Wednesday, winning a stormy quarter-final 1-0 to edge closer to their dream of a first South American crown.</em></strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify">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.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">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.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Brazilian referee Sandro Meira Ricci had already incurred the wrath of Uruguay's players after his decision to show a second yellow card to Cavani in the 61st minute.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Cavani, booked in the first half for a foul on Arturo Vidal, saw red after flicking a hand into the face of Chile defender Gonzalo Jara.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Jara reacted theatrically but Ricci showed no hesitation in brandishing yellow and capping a miserable week for Paris Saint-Germain star Cavani, whose father was arrested on Monday night for his involvement in a fatal car crash.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Uruguay reacted to Cavani's dismissal doggedly and appeared to be on their way to taking the game to a penalty shoot-out with a superb defensive performance.</p> . <p style="text-align: justify">But as the match entered the final 10 minutes, Chile pounced on Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera's failure to clear a cross.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Playmaker Jorge Valdivia slipped a pass to Isla, who drilled in a low finish to spark wild celebrations.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">It got worse for Uruguay a few minutes from time when Fucile clattered into Chile star Alexis Sanchez.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Uruguay protested that Fucile had played the ball but there was no denying that his trailing leg followed through on the Arsenal man.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Play was interrupted for several minutes as Uruguay's players and officials protested but Ricci remained unmoved and the red card stood.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Chile will now play the winner of Thursday's quarter-final between Bolivia and Peru in the last four.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The tone was set during a fractious first half which saw tackles flying in from both sides, referee Ricci showing four yellow cards as tempers flared.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Chile spent long periods camped in their opponents' half but had little to show for their territorial dominance as Uruguay's defence, marshalled superbly by Diego Godin, held firm.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Chile's midfielder Valdivia pressed and probed for an opening but was unable to find the killer pass to unlock the Uruguayan back four.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Uruguay goalkeeper Muslera was largely untroubled for the opening 45 minutes, with only a rasping long-range effort from Vidal threatening to break the deadlock in the 37th minute.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">At the other end, Chile needed to be alert to the danger posed by Uruguay on the counter-attack.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Isla became the second Chile player to be booked just before half-time after a wild lunge on Carlos Sanchez as Uruguay broke clear.</p> <strong>By AFP</strong> <p style="text-align: justify"></p>