Uruguay beats Panama in Copa America

Uruguay proved themselves favourites this Sunday by beating Panama 3-1 in their opening match of Group C of the 2024 Copa America, while the hosts USA easily beat Panama 2-0. Bolivia was weak in their first match.

In the 15th minute, a mid-range missile from Maximiliano Araujo lit up the sky and foreshadowed a greater outcome, but the lack of efficiency from the team led by Argentine Marcelo Bielsa led to many anxious moments until Uruguay was able to pull one back towards the end of the game.

In the 3-1 final at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, La Celeste only decided the outcome of the match thanks to goals from Darwin Núñez at 85 and Matías Viña at 90+1, while Panama decided the outcome with a goal from Michael Murrillo at 90+5.

Canarello’s team accelerated in the second half with great stamina, sounding the alarm for the Uruguayan defense, which had several hot streaks until the end when Uruguay turned the tables.

Bielsa’s trademark dizzying pace for Uruguay did not translate into good goals, and the Celeste endured a long period of agony against a Panama side that was racing at full speed.

While the fundamentals leave much to be desired, Bielsa’s side are dreaming of winning their 16th Copa America title in a separate competition and staying in touch with current champions Argentina, who also have 15 titles.

Both teams are favorites to lift the trophy in Miami on July 14, along with a ravaged Brazil and Luis Diaz’s rising Colombia.

His place in the favourites list is not earned simply by history: in the North American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, Uruguay defeated Brazil (2-0) and world champions Argentina with the same result.

Uruguay has one of the best squads heading into the Copa America on American soil, led by Real Madrid champion midfielder Federico Valverde; and striker Darwin Nunez, Liverpool forward.

Also in the first match of Group C, host United States easily defeated Bolivia 2-0 in Arlington, Texas on Sunday.

Led by captain and star player Christian Pulisic, the Americans showed in their debut that they too can argue with the favorites.

Pulisic opened the scoring with a long-range shot at the start of the match (3rd minute), Folarin Balogun extended the lead to 44 points, a result that could have been greater if it had not been for the outstanding performance of the Bolivian goalkeeper, Guillermo Vizcarra.

The United States, which is aiming to co-host the 2026 World Cup with Canada and Mexico, will face the Copa America, led by Gregg Berhalter, with the goal of exposing young players on the international stage.

“Now we have to take this good moment into the next games because we have some tough games ahead of us and they are very important for us,” said the 25-year-old Pulisic, who is one of the most experienced men in the Stars and Stripes despite his young age.

On the other hand, Bolivia has suffered thirteen consecutive defeats in the America’s Cup (and has not scored points since 2015), which shows that highland football is going through a crisis.

Bolivia’s generally poor performance was also reflected in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, where the team only accumulated three points in six games and ranked ninth (out of ten teams).