BUENOS AIRES, July 16 -- Uruguay defeated hosts Argentina 5-4 (1-1) on penalties on Saturday and advanced into the semifinals of the Copa America, and will face Peru next Thursday for a place in the final match.

The game took place in the "Brigadier Estanislao Lopez" Stadium, in the city of Santa Fe which is 476 kilometers north from Buenos Aires.

Defender Diego Perez scored the opener for the Uruguayans in the 5th minute, and striker Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid equalized 12 minutes later.

Both sides ended the game with 10 players due to the sent-offs of Perez (38th minute) and Argentina captain Javier Mascherano (86th minute).

The game was entertaining and dramatic, with the Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera honored as the Man of the Match.

Argentina's soccer player Gonzalo Higuain (Front) celebrates his goal during the match of quarterfinals of Copa America between Argentina and Uruguay in Santa Fe city, Argentina, July 16, 2011. Uruguay won 6-5.

After 120 minutes of football in which star Lionel Messi showed a good performance despite many fouls over him, the game went into penalties.

The first four penalties were all successful but substitute Carlos Tevez from English Premier side Manchester City missed the third one for Argentina after a great saving by Muslera.

The Uruguayans converted their remaining penalties, with Caceres scoring the fifth and final one.

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