The world champions finally came to life back at sea level against Mexico on Sunday, winning their quarter-final 4-0 after a series of pallid performances in the high-altitude southern city of Arequipa.

Already without top players such as Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos and Kaka, Brazil know they will not have the space in midfield they enjoyed against Mexico.

"Uruguay are not going to allow us to play our open, passing game. They'll mark hard and clamp us down," midfielder Alex said before training in the Peruvian capital on Monday.

Uruguay look a different side from the one that made a terrible start to World Cup qualification where they experimented with a risky attacking approach under former coach Juan Ramon Carrasco.

Since Jorge Fossati took over, the team have returned to their traditional style of tactical discipline and gamesmanship.

"I think the secret is for us to try to hold up the ball and keep possession. We must not let ourselves play at Uruguay's pace," said striker Adriano, who scored two second-half goals against Mexico to take his tally to five in the tournament.

Defender Gustavo Nery said that despite Brazil's strong performance against Mexico, the team had yet to prove itself at the Copa America, especially after their surprise defeat against Paraguay in the group stage.

"We haven't conquered anyone yet. Really, we are just starting to get going," Nery said.

Brazil lost 2-1 to 10-man Paraguay, ground out a 1-0 win over Chile and struggled to shine despite the scoreline in a 4-1 win against Costa Rica.