Uruguay spent a quiet evening on Thursday against Bolivia (5-0), during the 2nd day of the group stage of the Copa America, in East Rutheford (New Jersey), and got closer to quarter-finals. It only took 8 minutes for Celeste to take the lead, with a header from young midfielder Facundo Pellistri, on loan from Manchester United to Malaga last season. Very active, Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez doubled the lead in the 21st minute thanks to an inspired opening from Maximiliano Araujo.
Bolivia was underwater and would not resurface, only having one shot on target during the match, compared to nine for Uruguay. At the end of the match, it was Araujo’s turn to find the net (77th), then Federico Valverde (81st), on a textbook one-two with Pellistri, and finally Rodrigo Bentancur (89th), who headed in a free kick from Giorgian de Arrascaeta. Uruguay inflicted Bolivia’s 14th consecutive defeat in the Copa America. La Verde have not won a match in this competition for 27 years since their 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. Uruguay, for its part, is guaranteed to qualify with a draw or a victory against the United States on Monday, and could even pass with a defeat, depending on the result of the match between Panama and Bolivia.
Weah expelled
Despite opening the scoring, the United States lost 2-1 to Panama in Atlanta on Thursday in the second day of the Copa America group stage, having been left in difficulty by the sending off of striker Tim Weah. The hosts of this 48th edition of the continental competition got off to a flying start with a goal from Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie after less than five minutes of play, which was ultimately ruled out for offside.
But a little after the first quarter of an hour of play, Tim Weah received a red card for a blow to Panamanian defender Roderick Miller and the United States found themselves 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 (22nd minute). The AS Monaco striker scored his second goal in two matches, after the opening match against Bolivia.
But Panama, ranked 41st in the FIFA rankings while the United States are 11th, immediately recovered and equalized through Cesar Blackman (26th minute), 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.
