United States loses to much-discussed Uruguay goal and is out of Copa América; Panama to quarterfinals

Uruguay qualified for the quarter-finals of the Copa América as group winners. The team of national coach Marcelo Bielsa, who had to watch from the sidelines due to suspension, won in its last group match thanks to a much-discussed goal by Mathías Olivera against host country United States: 0-1. The Americans were eliminated by that result and Panama's victory over Bolivia (1-3). Panama advances to the quarter-finals as number two.

Beforehand, Uruguay was almost certain of reaching the quarterfinals with six points and a goal difference of +7. The US and Panama had three points with a goal difference of +1 and -1. A slight advantage for the US in that respect, although team USA with Uruguay a significantly stronger opponent than Panama, who faced Bolivia, which had already been all but eliminated (zero points, goal difference -7).

Timothy Weah was absent from the United States side. The Juventus striker received a red card for a striking movement against Panama (2-1 defeat) and served his first of two matches suspension against Uruguay. Due to his absence, national coach Gregg Berhalter had a starting place for AC Milan midfielder Yunus Musah. PSV players Ricardo Pepi and Malik Tillman started on the bench.

According to the Copa América organization, Uruguay entered the field too late against Bolivia. Because the coach is held responsible for this, Bielsa was given a one-match suspension. Compared to the 5-0 victory over the Bolivians, there were no changes to the line-up. Darwin Núñez, who scored in his last seven (!) international matches, was flanked by Facundo Pellistri and Maximiliano Araújo.

The first half at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City was not promising, but intense. The United States knew that Panama had a good chance of defeating Bolivia and played with the intensity that can be expected in a all or nothing gameDespite this intense style of play, opportunities remained limited.

A corner kick from Pulisic yielded nothing, after Tim Ream failed to beat his direct opponent and Antonee Robinson headed the rebound into the hands of ex-AZ player Sergio Rochet. Less than half a minute later, Robinson intercepted the ball, and after a nice dribble passed it to the left, where Giovanni Reyna crossed sharply. Rochet was there just in time to prevent Folarin Balogun from tapping in.

Uruguay managed to keep control, did not necessarily need to score and lurked for the mistake by the USA, which came after half an hour of play and led to a curious moment. Nicolás de la Cruz was brought down hard by Chris Richards, who was shown a yellow card. Referee Kevin Ortega had barely pulled the yellow card for Richards out of his breast pocket, but still allowed play to continue when Núñez continued the game at lightning speed.

Liverpool striker Nahitan Nández had a golden opportunity, which he missed just before the goal line after Tim Ream's excellent intervention. The US was furious with Rodríguez, who probably would have let the goal stand. It was by far Uruguay's most dangerous moment, which did threaten through Núñez, Pellistri and Matías Viña. Both teams lost a player before half-time. Maxi Araújo was forced off after a collision, while Balogun came into hard contact with Rochet and was later hobbled off by Pepi.

Uruguay played with more urgency after the break, which the US, who knew that Panama was leading at that moment, had trouble with. Federico Valverde tried with a hard long-range shot, which flew just wide of Matt Turner's goal. The goalie had an answer to a header from Ronald Araújo halfway through the second half, but was then powerless against the rebound from Oliveira: the Napoli defender seemed to be slightly offside at the moment of Araújo's header, but the goal stood, to the disbelief of the US: 0-1.

The US had to go on the attack and after some great preparatory work by Weston McKennie and Pepi, Pulisic had a shooting chance, whose deflected shot was cleared just before the goal line by Nández. After another great attack, this time Haji Wright had a great chance. He could have laid it off to the outlaw Pepi, but decided to do it himself and saw his deflected shot easily saved by Rochet.

The US would not come any closer and so the host country was eliminated in the group stage. It was striking that referee Rodríguez refused to shake the outstretched hand of Pulisic, who had clashed with the referee more than once, shortly after the match.

Bolivia – Panama 1-3

Panama still had a good chance of reaching the quarter finals thanks to its impressive victory over the US (1-2) in the previous round and knew that it had to achieve a better result than the US against Uruguay. It was José Fajardo who opened the score halfway through the first half, by working the ball hard into the net from a turn: 0-1.

A good twenty minutes before the end, Bolivia suddenly equalized when Bruno Miranda was easily put in front of the keeper and finished with his left foot: 1-1. However, it all turned out well for Panama and not only because of the impending defeat of the USA at that moment. Ten minutes after the equalizer, Eric Davis crossed so sharply that Eduardo Guerrero had enough to score with a light header: 1-2.

In injury time, the Panamanian party was complete. César Yanis took the ball wonderfully with his left and shot just as beautifully with his right into the top corner: 1-3. Uruguay will face the number two from Group D in the quarter finals: currently Brazil. Panama will play against the group winner from Group D. That is currently Colombia, but a defeat of that country against Brazil would still change the final ranking in that group.

Always stay up to date with the most important football news? Join the Voetbalzone WhatsApp channel now!

More news





More sports news