Copa America 2011 Schedule: Uruguay Eliminates Peru and Moves into the Finals

This was the second time the 2011 Copa America Schedule had pitted Peru vs. Uruguay. And for 185 minutes these two teams played dead even 1-1 world football. Those other five minutes were all Uruguay. Uruguay's Luis Suarez found the back of the net in the 53rd and 58th minutes of this semifinals match to lead Uruguay past Peru 2-0 on Tuesday night.

The win leaves Uruguay just one game away from securing a record extending 15th Copa America title. On Sunday night, Uruguay will play the winner of the other semifinals game featuring Paraguay and Venezuela.

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2011 Copa America Finals: Uruguay vs. Venezuela-Paraguay winner on Sunday, July 24th 3 p.m. EST

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Tuesday night was an impressive win for Uruguay. While they were the clear favorites heading into this match they were playing it at far less than 100 percent.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez told the press prior to the match that he and his team were viewing this game as a platform to showcase this team's spirit, and not an excuse for potential defeat.Tabarez said, "Fighting hard in matches, that seems to be part of us. I don't mean as Uruguayans, I mean as a team. It was like that in the World Cup."

Uruguay was forced to fight hard without Diego Perez, who was forced to sit out this one after a yellow card in the quarterfinals resulted in his suspension. Perez had been one of Uruguay's best player in this Copa America run. Walter Gargano produced an admirable effort in Perez's absence.

They were also without the services of center defender Mauricio Victorino. Victorino had started two of the 2011 Copa America matches and his absence meant big minutes for Sebastian Coates.

Then, of course, Edinson Cavani was still on the sidelines due to an ailing knee. He played most of the first match against Peru, but he was clearly hobbled by the knee and hasn't played since.

Cavani's absence has put the offensive spotlight on Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez. Both of those players performed great in that spotlight on Tuesday night. 

Even though it was all for naught, Forlan and Suarez applied consistent pressure in the first half. In the second half, that pressure began to pay off. Diego Forlan set up the first goal in the 53rd minute when he took a long shot that scurried along the ground. Peru keeper Raul Fernandez dived to his left for a fine save, but he couldn't hold onto the ball and Suarez was there to pick up the spill for the game's first goal.

Suarez added the second goal just moments later after rounding the keeper and rolling the ball into an open net after receiving a beautiful pass from Alvaro Pereira.

Peru was valiant in defeat and they had a few chances of their own. Their last hope in this game ended when captain Juan Manuel Vargas was expelled in the second half for a vicious elbow. Even if he had remained, it likely wouldn't have been enough. And now their tournament comes to an end. It was a good run for this huge underdog. Peru wasn't even expected to make it out of group play.

It was just a year ago that Peru was the worst team in South American World Cup qualifying. They were also playing without their top two forwards: Jefferson Farfan and Claudio Pizarro. Things are definitely looking up for Peru.

For Uruguay, this is just another step in their recent resurgence. They are fresh off a run to the semifinals in the 2010 World Cup, and now they are just one win a away from their first Copa America title since 1999.

This is something Uruguay will be heavily favored to do no matter who they face in the finals. Venezuela is on an impressive run in this tournament, but like Peru, they are vastly overachieving. They were one of the biggest underdogs when Copa America began.

Paraguay is a fine team with some good talent, but it is hard to see how they will be able to crack Uruguay's stifling defense. And while this has been the Copa America of upsets, you have to like Uruguay's chances to win the championship.

This tournament run will also change how the balance of power in world football is perceived. This is the second straight major tournament that Uruguay has outlasted Argentina and Brazil. If Uruguay does go onto claim this title, they should be considered the new No. 1 team in their region.