In this Copa America 2024, Group C is starting to settle down as Uruguay chained a second victory in as many matches against Bolivia (5-0) while the United States were dominated by Panama (2-1) who came back to level with the American selection.
At MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, it took just 8 minutes for the Celeste to take the advantage, on a header from young midfielder Facundo Pellistri, on loan from Manchester United to Malaga, last season (1-0). Very active, Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez doubled the lead in the 21st minute thanks to an inspired opening from Maximiliano Araujo (2-0).
Bolivia was underwater and would never resurface, scoring only one shot in the match, compared to nine for Uruguay.
At the end of the match, it was Araujo’s turn to find the net (3-0, 77th), then Federico Valverde (4-0, 81st), on a classic one-two with Pellistri, and finally from Rodrigo Bentancur (5-0, 89th), who headed a free kick from Giorgian de Arrascaeta.
Uruguay handed Bolivia their 14th consecutive defeat in the Copa America. The green has not won a match in this competition for 27 years and its semi-final against Mexico, at home. It is already eliminated from this edition, unlike Panama, which it will face on Monday, during the third and final day of group C. La Celeste is guaranteed to qualify with a draw or a victory against the States -United, Monday, and could even pass with a defeat, depending on the result of the match between Panama and Bolivia.
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The United States at ten for more than 70 minutes
Although having opened the score, the Americans lost in Atlanta, against Panama (2-1), during the 2nd day of the group stage of the Copa America, put in difficulty by the expulsion of striker Tim Weah.
The host of this 48th edition of the continental competition got off to a flying start with, after less than five minutes of play, a goal from Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, which was ultimately disallowed for offside. But a little after the first quarter of an hour of play, Tim Weah received a red card for a hit on Panamanian defender Roderick Miller and the United States found itself down to ten men.
This did not prevent them from opening the scoring with a curling shot from Folarin Balogun at the edge of the area (0-1, 22nd). The AS Monaco striker scored his second goal in two matches, after the opening match against Bolivia.
But Panama, 41st team in the Fifa rankings while the United States are 11th, immediately recovered and equalized through César Blackman (1-1, 26th), following a defensive hesitation by the Americans.
The red tide, one of the nicknames of the Panamanian team, then exerted constant pressure on the United States defense, which multiplied, before cracking, in the 83rd minute. On a service from Abdiel Ayarza, José Fajardo gave his country a decisive advantage (2-1).
The United States remains second in Group C, thanks to goal difference, ahead of third-placed Panama. As a reminder, only the top two will qualify for the quarter-finals.
