Heartbreak for Bruno Guimaraes
In the early hours of Sunday, Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and the Brazilian national team faced a heartbreaking defeat in the Copa America quarter-finals, losing to a 10-man Uruguay side on penalties. This marked the end of Bruno’s significant run in this summer’s Copa America, hosted in the USA.
Bruno Guimaraes started in all four of Brazil’s matches during the tournament. The group stage saw him play crucial roles in matches against Costa Rica (0-0 draw), Paraguay (4-1 win), and Colombia (1-1 draw). His performances helped Brazil advance to the knockout stages, where they faced a formidable Uruguay team led by former Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa.
The quarter-final match took place in Las Vegas, where both teams displayed a high level of intensity. The match ended in a goalless draw after 90 minutes, despite being filled with numerous yellow cards, several aggressive challenges, and a straight red card for Uruguay’s Nahitan Nández. As the match moved to penalties, the pressure mounted.
In the penalty shootout, Brazil’s hopes were dashed when Eder Militao and Douglas Luiz had their penalties saved. Bruno Guimaraes, who had been substituted off in the closing stages, watched helplessly as Manuel Ugarte sealed Uruguay’s victory by scoring the decisive penalty past Brazil’s goalkeeper, Alisson. This defeat sent Uruguay into the semi-finals, where they will face Colombia.
In a similar vein, fellow Newcastle player Fabian Schar experienced a penalty shootout heartbreak as Switzerland was knocked out of the Euros by England. Despite Schar successfully converting his penalty, England’s perfect sequence of penalties from Palmer, Saka, Toney, Bellingham, and Alexander-Arnold secured their place in the semi-finals, leaving Switzerland to bow out of the tournament.
The early exits of Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar from their respective international tournaments might be disappointing, but it could prove beneficial for Newcastle United as they prepare for the upcoming Premier League season. Both players will return to the club earlier than expected, allowing them to rest and recuperate before the domestic campaign kicks off.
As Newcastle United gears up for the new season, the early return of key players like Guimaraes and Schar will be crucial. The club is set to face newly promoted Southampton in their first Premier League match, and the presence of their international stars will be vital. Additionally, the team will participate in pre-season friendlies against Hull City, Urawa Reds, Yokohama FM, and Brest to fine-tune their strategies.
Bruno Guimaraes has been a standout player for Newcastle since his arrival, and his performances in the Copa America, despite the disappointing exit, have further solidified his reputation as a key midfielder. His ability to control the midfield and contribute both defensively and offensively makes him indispensable to Eddie Howe’s plans for the upcoming season.
Similarly, Fabian Schar’s experience and defensive capabilities will be essential for Newcastle’s ambitions in the Premier League. His penalty success against England demonstrates his composure under pressure, a trait that will be invaluable as the team navigates through the challenges of the new season.
While the exits of Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar from their respective international tournaments are setbacks, they present an opportunity for Newcastle United.
The early return of these key players allows the team to integrate them back into the squad sooner, ensuring they are well-prepared and fully fit for the demands of the Premier League. Newcastle fans can look forward to seeing their stars in action, aiming to build on the previous season’s successes and achieve new heights.
