Valverde creates a state of myth and madness with the Uruguay national team in Copa America and scores an imaginary goal
Uruguay aimed to secure their second victory in Group C of the Copa America 2024 as they faced underdogs Bolivia at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. La Celeste started aggressively, seeking an early goal to set the match’s tempo. Their pressure paid off in the 8th minute when winger Facundo Pellistri headed in from close range, finding the bottom right corner to give Uruguay a 1-0 lead.
Capitalizing on their momentum, Uruguay doubled their advantage in the 21st minute. Following a swift counterattack, winger Maximiliano Araújo set up striker Darwin Núñez, who clinically finished into the bottom left corner, leaving Bolivia with a formidable challenge ahead.
La Verde struggled against Uruguay’s relentless high press, managing only a couple of half-hearted attempts at goal. Meanwhile, Uruguay continued to hunt for a third goal to seal the match. The first half ended with La Celeste in complete control, leading 2-0.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side maintained their aggressive approach after the break, denying Bolivia any opportunity to gain a foothold in the game. Uruguay’s dominance was further emphasized in the 77th minute when Araújo, already with an assist to his name, scored the third goal.
The floodgates opened in the final stages of the match. Federico Valverde netted Uruguay’s fourth goal in the 81st minute, assisted by Pellistri. In the 89th minute, substitute Rodrigo Bentancur added the fifth, capping off a stellar team performance.
Bolivia, outplayed in every aspect, had no answer to Uruguay’s constant threats. With this commanding 5-0 victory, Uruguay secured their place in the Copa America 2024 knockout stages and positioned themselves as strong favorites to top Group C.
Starting XI:
Uruguay: Rochet (GK), Vina, Olivera, R Araujo, Nandez, Ugarte, Valverde, M Araujo, De La Cruz, Pellistri, Nunez
Bolivia: Viscarra (GK), Sagredo, Haquin, Rocha, Cespedes, Vaca, Villamil, Fernandez, Cuellar, Terceros, Alganaraz
Preview
Group C toppers Uruguay will face bottom-placed Bolivia on Thursday in the Copa America 2024 at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Bolivia will have to play a solid game to keep its Copa America hopes alive when it faces Uruguay, one of the best teams in the world and the best in South America, coach Antonio Carlos Zago said ahead of its second group-stage match.
Taking points against CONMEBOL rivals Uruguay is vital for Bolivia with its knockout stages chances on the line following their 2-0 defeat to the United States in its Group C opener on Sunday.
Brazilian coach Zago knows his team will have to step up its game against Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
“Tomorrow we are going to play against one of the best teams in the world at the moment, perhaps the best team in South America because they finished the year playing very well, and this year they are also playing well,” Zago told a news conference on Wednesday.
Bolivia last faced Uruguay in November, falling 3-0 in Montevideo in the South American World Cup qualifying tournament, where it stands second-to-last with just one win and five defeats.
Meanwhile, Uruguay, who beat Panama 3-1 in its first Copa match, are second in the qualifiers, trailing only Argentina, whom it also defeated back in November.
LIVE Telecast info
When to watch the Uruguay vs Boliva Group C Copa America 2024 match?
The Group C match between Uruguay and Bolivia in the Copa America will kick off at 6:30 am IST on Friday at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Where to watch the LIVE telecast of Uruguay vs Bolivia in India?
There’s no official confirmation about the network on which Copa America 2024 will be telecast in India. However, you can follow all the LIVE updates from the match on Sportstar’s website and app.
Where to watch the LIVE stream of Uruguay vs Bolivia in India?
There’s no official confirmation about the platform on which Copa America 2024 will be streamed in India. However, you can follow all the LIVE updates from the match on Sportstar’s website and app.
Where to watch the LIVE telecast of Uruguay vs Bolivia in USA?
In the USA, the match will be telecasted across the FOX networks – FOX, FOX Sports 1 (FS1) and FOX Sports 2 (FS2).
