Without their coach Marcelo Bielsa, also sanctioned by Conmebol, Uruguay – already qualified for the quarterfinals – beat the United States 1-0 on Monday, which was eliminated from the tournament it organizes.
Encouraged by their fans, the North American team – with their captain Pulisic as their standard-bearer – sought to tilt the field from the first minute against a Uruguay that stood up on the counterattack, knowing that a draw would be enough to take first place.
The home team offered the same vertigo that characterises the approaches of “Loco” Bielsa, whose midfield at times was not on its feet, to the point that Robinson nutmegged Pellistri and was an attacking card on his side, in addition to the insinuations of Reyna and Balogun, assisted at home by Rochet and Ronald Aráujo in a vehement action and before a referee who allowed rough play.
With some individual efforts from Núñez and Maxi Araujo – who left the field early with a suspected concussion – the Celeste had the first dangerous chance from a foul on De la Cruz, which was quickly executed and left Nández facing a goal that Ream managed to prevent. Then, a mistake by Pellistri inside the area closed a fast-paced first half but with obvious inaccuracies in the final stitch.
In the second half, Viña and Valverde warned that the team led last night by Pablo Quiroga was not going to be intimidated by the American’s difficulties. However, after a VAR review, Mathías Olivera’s goal buried the American dream and left the home team empty-handed.
Panama did its homework and passed
Meanwhile, in Orlando, with goals from José Fajardo Nelson, Eduardo Guerrero and César Velasco, Panama beat weak Bolivia 3-1 (goal by Bruno Miranda) and secured the second ticket from Group C to the quarterfinals.
2024-07-02 12:21:58
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