Brazil face stiff competition on their side of the bracket as they search for their first Copa America title since 2019, and they are set to face a strong Uruguay side in the quarterfinals.
With the Selecao stuck in a bit of a rut, having finished second in their group behind Colombia, they will have to earn their way back to the top of the South American football echelon.
It’s a stark contrast to what Argentina face on the opposite side of the bracket, as the Albiceleste eye a spot in the 2024 Copa America final having already downed Ecuador on penalties and now set to face Canada in the semifinals, a team they’ve already beaten in the opening game.
If Brazil are to make it to the last four as well, they’ll have to do so without a key player at their disposal, as Real Madrid superstar and Ballon d’Or contender Vinicus Jr will not take part in the quarterfinal match.
The Sporting News explains why Vinicus Jr will miss the game and when he will return.
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Where is Vinicius Jr. for Copa America quarterfinal vs. Uruguay?
Copa America viewers will surely notice the absence of Vinicius Jr. when Brazil take the field for their quarterfinal match against Uruguay on Saturday.
The Real Madrid forward, who is in the mix for the Ballon d’Or this season, will not take part in Las Vegas tonight as he is suspended one game.
Copa America rules stipulate that a player is suspended for one match after picking up two yellow cards, which is standard practice amongst most major international tournaments.
Vinicius Jr. was booked in two of Brazil’s three group-stage games, first in the 83rd minute against Paraguay and then in the seventh minute of the group finale against Colombia.
Thus, Vinicius Jr will miss the quarterfinal against Uruguay, and will return for the semifinal against either Colombia or Panama, should Brazil qualify for that stage.
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Why was Vinicius Jr. booked against Paraguay, Colombia?
Vinicius was shown his first yellow card of the 2024 Copa America in the 83rd minute of Brazil’s second group game against Paraguay. He was involved in a scuffle in the aftermath of a red card to Andres Cubas of Paraguay, following an ugly tackle on Douglas Luiz.
Then, early in the group finale against Colombia, Vinicius fouled James Rodriguez and was shown a yellow card by Venezuelan official Jesus Valenzuela.
It was a somewhat harsh decision so early in the match, as it seemed that the trailing arm from the Brazilian to the face of Rodriguez was nothing more than incidental contact.
Vinicius Jr. disciplinary record for Real Madrid, Brazil
Prior to his two bookings against Paraguay and Colombia, Vinicius Jr had only been shown three career yellow cards in 31 international caps for Brazil.
His first yellow card came against Peru in the semifinals of the 2021 Copa America, shown a late yellow in the 89th minute. He was then booked against Colombia and Chile in World Cup qualifiers later that year in the run-up to the 2022 FIFA tournament.
At the club level, Vinicius Jr. has been booked 45 times in 264 matches for Real Madrid, while being shown only one career red card since moving to the Spanish giants.
