Uruguay defender Araujo out of Copa America after quarter-final injury

Ronald Araujo will miss Uruguay's Copa America semi-final against Colombia and the rest of the tournament due to a hamstring injury.

The Barcelona centre-back sustained the muscle issue before the interval in Sunday's shoot-out victory over Brazil in the last eight.

Araujo was removed by Marcelo Bielsa, who sent on Atletico Madrid's Jose Maria Gimenez as Uruguay and Brazil shared a goalless draw across 120 minutes of action.

The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) confirmed on Tuesday that Araujo will not be available for the remainder of the competition, starting with Wednesday's last-four clash against Colombia.

"After the studies carried out, it was confirmed that it was a muscular injury," the AUF said in a short statement.

?? ???????????Marcelo Bielsa y Maximiliano Araújo hablaron con los medios en la previa del partido con Colombia, por semifinal de la @CopaAmerica.https://t.co/qVMBrYKoRh y Youtube#ElEquipoQueNosUne pic.twitter.com/GVw6OFNyue
— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) July 9, 2024

No timescales were provided by the AUF for Araujo's recovery, though reports in Spain suggest the 25-year-old could be out for up to two months.

Araujo will be a sore miss for Bielsa, with the defender leading all Uruguay players at the tournament for aerial duels won (18) and clearances (15).