Early objectives from Manchester United’s Facundo Pellistri and Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez obtained Uruguay off to a quick begin in opposition to Bolivia they usually didn’t look again, profitable 5-0 with 5 completely different goalscorers to all however seal their place within the Copa America quarterfinals. Their last Group C match will come in opposition to the U.S. on Monday — a must-win event for the People after their loss to Panama.
Marcelo Bielsa’s males had extra objectives on this win over Bolivia than some other Copa America group has had throughout the whole match thus far, which may spell bother for the U.S.
The Athletic’s Melanie Anzidei and Thom Harris share their takeaways from the match…
Why was Uruguay taking part in in white and blue?
Uruguay debuted a brand new equipment at MetLife Stadium: a white jersey, sky blue shorts and white socks, an unprecedented mixture.
Why? Nicely, a group spokesman stated there was no particular cause, however Uruguay lately inked a brand new cope with Nike — simply in time for Copa America, a departure from the group’s long-standing partnership with Puma. That contract led to 2023 and Uruguay was with no sponsor till they signed with Nike in April. The group solely launched their kits a number of days earlier than the match started.
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Between kits sponsors, the Uruguayan Soccer Affiliation produced its kits in-house, with one model unveiled because the equipment that Uruguay would put on on the 2024 Olympics in celebration of their a centesimal anniversary of profitable gold in 1924. The one downside was the group did not qualify.
Tonight’s equipment was the primary time Uruguay has worn a white shirt and blue shirt mixture in its 122-year historical past, in accordance with the FA.
Melanie Anzidei
How was Bolivia’s preparation impacted?
The Bolivian group appeared in low spirits forward of Thursday. In pregame press conferences the day earlier than, head coach Antônio Carlos Zago spoke about how his group was able to battle in opposition to a match favourite in Uruguay. He spoke humbly about how his group is slowly rebuilding and acknowledged that any rebuild will take time.
Hours later, although, information broke of an tried coup again house in Bolivia, with photos of armored automobiles ramming the doorways of the nation’s authorities palace making the rounds on social media and worldwide information websites. The pictures popping out of La Paz raised alarms and hours later the tried coup reportedly failed. Whereas gamers are bodily removed from Bolivia and the group has not made any public statements on the state of affairs that unfolded, a political disaster again house would add strain or stress on any participant. The end result in opposition to Uruguay appeared to mirror that.
Melanie Anzidei
Darwin dominates once more
Good, bemusing, however at all times box-office viewing; Darwin Nunez was at it once more.
Within the first half alone, Uruguay’s unrelenting quantity 19 took seven pictures. He grazed the put up with a sensational header, smashed the crossbar with one other, and missed a obtrusive one-on-one, earlier than delightfully lifting a second over the goalkeeper.
Taking the second half under consideration, his whole of 24 touches within the penalty space leaves him 10 away from some other participant within the match. Twice, he took on three defenders within the field — twisting, turning, ducking left and proper — earlier than ending up on the ground.
It’s sheer chaos, nevertheless it works. Such is Uruguay’s bodily dominance in video games like these, the place their tireless closing down suffocates groups with out the technical high quality to flee, the 24-year-old is at all times near the motion. He can tear in behind in a footrace, latch onto by way of balls and shoot, or he can lurk between central defenders, ready for crosses into the field earlier than flinging himself on the ball.
Nunez has now scored in seven straight video games below Marcelo Bielsa, 10 all in all. He may need had extra at this Copa America; he actually will earlier than the match is out.
Thom Harris
How nervous ought to the USMNT be about the specter of Uruguay?
The U.S. males’s nationwide group is in bother.
After a surprising loss to Panama within the second spherical, the host nation’s path out of the group stage is now murky at greatest. Although the U.S. can nonetheless advance with a loss to Uruguay, advancing then might completely depend on how the Panama and Bolivia match concludes. It’s a removed from excellent state of affairs.
If we evaluate how Uruguay and the USA carried out in opposition to Bolivia thus far on this match, La Celeste are clearly the extra dominant group. Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez confirmed why he is among the group’s rising stars below Bielsa. The group persistently and efficiently penetrated Bolivia’s line of defense. They out-possessed Bolivia considerably, with their opponent not often touching the ball.
By the point Uruguay had their third aim within the 77th minute from a superb give-and-go within the entrance of the online, Bolivia’s destiny was already sealed.
America should do significantly better than how they performed in opposition to Panama to face an opportunity in opposition to Uruguay they usually should not make foolish errors that may put them a participant down so early within the match. A ten-man group has even much less of an opportunity.
Melanie Anzidei
What are the coaches saying?
Uruguay head coach Marcelo Bielsa: “At present we performed in opposition to a group that’s very younger, with lots of gamers with out worldwide expertise. I used to be conscious that Bolivia had about seven or eight younger gamers, with a future and perspective. The truth is we performed in opposition to a younger group with little expertise. If we wish to attain the stage the place we face among the greatest groups within the competitors, in good or dangerous type, that’s solely realized after we compete. Should you ask me now, I’d say sure (we are able to compete in opposition to these groups). Step-by-step, right this moment was higher than earlier than.”
Bolivia head coach Antônio Carlos Zago: “At present, we’re the third youngest group within the Copa America, so we’ve got to maintain working and we’ve got to comply with the method. I imagine that many groups went by way of this technique of change and suffered like we’re struggling. I feel it’s necessary to not put strain on the gamers. I imagine the gamers have to be allowed to work in peace as a result of they’re gamers who’re buying minutes in an necessary competitors such because the Copa America. We’ve got a sport on Monday. We’ve got to combat and we’ve got to attempt to depart right here with not less than one win since Bolivia has not achieved a victory within the Copa America for 10 years.”
What’s subsequent for the groups?
U.S. vs Uruguay — Monday, July 1, 9 p.m. ET (Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas Metropolis, MO)
Bolivia vs Panama — Monday, July 1, 9 p.m. ET (Inter & Co Stadium, Orlando, FL)
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(Prime photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP through Getty Pictures)