Police, protesters clash as Brazil beat Uruguay in Confed Cup semis

The unrest outside the venue in Belo Horizonte, where Brazil beat Uruguay 2-1, was the latest in a wave of anti-government protests staged in part to denounce the high costs of hosting the event and next year's World Cup.

A violent demonstrator kicks a tear gas shell during clashes with the police outside the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte. PIC/AFP

The demonstrators have also been demanding tougher penalties against corrupt politicians and better public services in the world's seventh largest economy.

Brazil in final
A towering Paulinho header saw Brazil edge Uruguay 2-1 on Wednesday in an ill-tempered Confederations Cup semi-final.

Fred scored from close range two minutes from half-time to calm the nerves of the five-time world champions and Confederations Cup title holders after Diego Forlan had first missed a penalty for Uruguay.

But Edinson Cavani levelled three minutes after the restart and thereafter the hosts were rocking before Paulinho rose high to plant a firm close-range header past Fernando Muslera.