Brazil is currently leading Uruguay 2-1 at half-time in the Copa América 2007 Semi Final at the Stadio José Pachencho Romero, Maracaibo. The opening goal came from Brazil and Inter Milan defender Maicon, with former Man Utd striker Diego Forlan levelling, but Brazil going into a 2-1 lead with a strike from former Arsenal forward Julio Baptista.

Both teams came out in the early stages with huge intent, but with Brazil shading the possession in the opening minutes.

Brazil took an early lead when Brazil defender Maicon broke the deadlock in the 13th minute after continuing his run from defence and latching on to a save by Fabián Carini from a strike from Robinho, with the Inter Milan man volleying home his first-ever goal for his country.

One bank of floodlights in the Stadio José Pachencho Romero failed minutes later, with the referee deciding to stop play and wait for thirteen minutes before recommencing the match with the bank of floodlights still out.

Uruguay had reformed during the break and former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan almost equalised in the 28th minute after breaking through the Brazilian defence, smashing his shot from 20-yards into the top-corner, with Doni leaping brilliantly to deny Uruguay the leveller.

Uruguay had a string of set-pieces as the half went on, giving Brazil a host of problems in defence, with Alvaro Recoba forcing Doni into another fine diving-save as the equilibrium was recovered.

Maicon and Robinho were working very well together, with virtually every Seleçao move coming from the right-flank with, inevitably, Maicon at the heart of the build-up.

Brazil had a vague penalty call in the 34th minute after Maicon squared the ball to Vagner Love, who went down in front of the goal, but the referee waved the call away.

Recoba’s set-pieces were beginning to find their way through the Brazil defence, and finally the scores were levelled with a wonderful volley from Villarreal CF forward Diego Forlan 15-yards out from goal which flew into Doni’s right corner.

Brazil, against the run of play, retook the lead in the 40th minute after capitalising on one of their few free-kicks, with the excellent Maicon yet again involved.

His free-kick from wide was directed into the Uruguay penalty area, with former Arsenal striker Julio Baptista breaking the offside trap to volley the ball home past Carini to make it 2-0.

Despite Uruguay having dominated since the restart after the light failure, Brazil went into half-time in better spirits, but with Uruguay having bossed the match for equal periods of the half and posing a real danger for Dunga's team.

FULL MATCH REPORT BRAZIL V URUGUAY:
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