July 21 (Bloomberg) -- Julio Cesar made the only save of a penalty shootout to give world champion Brazil a 5-3 victory over Uruguay and a place in Sunday's final of soccer's Copa America against Argentina.

The goalkeeper stretched to his left to block Vicente Sanchez's shot, allowing Brazil captain Alex to step up and seal the victory. The match in Lima had finished 1-1 after goals by Uruguay's Marcelo Sosa and Brazil's Adriano.

The Brazilians, missing stars including Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos, will face off against Argentina for the ninth time in a Copa America final having lost the previous eight. They are targeting a seventh title. Argentina has a record 14.

``It will be difficult but Brazil will win,'' Brazil striker Luis Fabiano told reporters at the Estadio Nacional.

Uruguay took the lead when Sosa headed Javier Delgado's free- kick past Julio Cesar in the 22nd minute. That followed teammate Dario Silva's miss, with the striker six yards out in front of an unguarded goal and shooting onto the crossbar.

Brazil made it 1-1 within a minute of halftime when Inter Milan striker Adriano prodded in Luis Fabiano's cross for his sixth goal of the Copa America, a tournament high. Adriano shot wide two minutes later and Brazil began to take the upper hand.

Uruguay goalkeeper Sebastian Viera followed up a first-half save from Edu's lob and a double save from Adriano and Kleberson with more blocks as Carlos Alberto Parreira's team pressed for victory in regular time.

Penalties

Unlike the World Cup and other major tournaments, there is no extra time in Copa America matches. Viera stopped Julio Baptista's low drive from six yards in the dying minutes and Alex was tackled as he shaped to shoot from six yards, sending the match into a shootout.

Viera scored Uruguay's second penalty, but was unable to stop any of Brazil's, consigning the 14-time champion to Saturday's third-place playoff against Colombia in Cusco, Peru.

The Brazilians, who rested many Europe-based players for the tournament, will get the chance to add a third title in the past four South American championships and follow up their victory at the 2002 World Cup. The final takes place in Lima.

To contact the reporters on this story: Inti Landauro at the Estadio Nacional, Lima at ilandauro@bloomberg.net and Grant Clark in Singapore 1101 or at gclark@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: July 22, 2004 00:17 EDT