The United States survived a late onslaught to beat Ecuador 2-1 and advance to the semi-finals of the Copa America for the first time since 1995 after a pulsating and sometimes fractious match in Seattle.

Clint Dempsey and Gyasi Zardes scored for the US either side of half-time and Michael Arroyo got one back for Ecuador in a game that saw one player from each side sent off and Ecuador coach Gustavo Quinteros banished to the stands.

Ecuador came into the game more after Antonio Valencia and Jermaine Jones were shown red cards in the 51st minute but the hosts prevailed to set up a semi-final against either Argentina or Venezuela next Tuesday.

“We’ve come so far and now we get even hungrier for the next step,” said US coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

Other quarter-finals
Peru vs Colombia; Argentina vs Venezuela; Mexico vs Chile.

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