Uruguay delivered a commanding performance in the Copa America, securing a resounding 5-0 victory against Bolivia as they solidified their path towards the knockout stage.
The match, held in the United States, showcased Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez’s stellar form, as he extended his scoring streak to seven consecutive matches for his national team.
The scoring began early for Uruguay, with Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri opening the tally in the 8th minute with a close-range header. Nunez swiftly followed suit, doubling the lead just two minutes later with his 10th goal in his last seven appearances for Uruguay.
Winger Maximiliano Araujo further bolstered Uruguay’s lead, netting his second goal of the tournament in the 77th minute. Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde added to the scoreline with a clinical low finish, while Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur sealed the victory with a powerful header.
Uruguay, currently ranked 14th in FIFA’s world rankings, demonstrated their intent to claim an unprecedented 16th Copa America title with their second consecutive victory in the tournament.
Another match, another Darwin Nunez goal 🌟
In his last seven matches for Uruguay, the @LFC forward has scored 10 times 🤯 pic.twitter.com/11PUIFWP9a
— Premier League (@premierleague) June 28, 2024
Both Uruguay and Argentina now boast 15 Copa America titles each, highlighting their historical dominance in South American football.
Manager Marcelo Bielsa expressed cautious optimism following the match, emphasizing that despite their impressive performance, Uruguay still has significant strides to make to achieve their full potential.
“There are still several important steps to take in order to be convinced that Uruguay can reach the level we imagine with the individual talent it has,” Bielsa remarked. “It would be incorrect to draw conclusions at this stage.”
Uruguay’s next challenge will be against the United States in their final Group C fixture, scheduled for 02:00 BST on Tuesday. A draw in this encounter would secure Uruguay’s top spot in the group standings, further advancing their pursuit of Copa America glory.