Host USA lost 0-1 to Uruguay in Group C of Copa America 2024 on the morning of July 2. This result, combined with Panama’s 3-1 win over Bolivia in the remaining match, left the US with the regret of watching Uruguay and Panama advance to the quarterfinals.
After a surprising loss to Panama in the previous round, the US team must beat Uruguay this morning (July 2, Vietnam time) to have a chance of reaching the quarterfinals.
However, facing the Uruguay team with a better squad and more experience, the US team appeared to be very stuck.
Uruguay sent the US team out of the game (Photo: Getty).
After a goalless first half, the pace of the match quickened in the second half. However, the ones who scored in the second half were not the US team, who needed the goal more, but Uruguay.
In the 65th minute, a Uruguayan player headed the ball after a free kick from his teammate, and the home team’s goalkeeper Matt Turner pushed the ball out. Immediately, Uruguay defender Mathias Olivera joined the attack and kicked the rebound into the net.
The American players protested against the referee, believing that Uruguay was offside when they scored against the American team.
The US team became an unwilling audience at the tournament on home soil (Photo: Getty).
However, after consulting VAR technology, referee Kevin Ortega still recognized the goal for the away team Uruguay.
In the remaining minutes, Uruguay played very resiliently, making it impossible for the US team to penetrate the South American team’s defense.
Losing 0-1, the host team of Copa America 2024 was officially eliminated right after the group stage, because in the match taking place at the same time, Panama had a 3-1 victory over Bolivia.
Panama has 6 points, ranking second in Group C. Group leader Uruguay has 9 points after 3 wins, while the US team has only 3 points, ranking third in Group C.
Uruguay’s opponent in the quarter-finals will be the second team in Group D, which also includes Brazil and Colombia. Panama’s opponent will be the top team in Group D.