Maximilian Araujo, Darwin Nunez and Matias Vina scored as Uruguay triumphed over Panama 3-1 of their Copa America Group C opener in Florida on Sunday.
The victory places Uruguay stage with the United States at three factors, following the U.S.’s 2-0 win in opposition to Bolivia within the day’s different Group C match.
Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay, who’ve received the Copa America a document 15 instances, had been rewarded for his or her blistering early tempo when Araujo fired dwelling a elegant curling effort from the sting of the realm within the sixteenth minute.
Panama grew into the match after the break and wasted a number of possibilities to get again into the competition.
Jose Fajardo blasted an effort large within the 52nd minute after a defensive error by Mathias Olivera, whereas Jose Rodriguez examined Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet with a ferocious shot from vary.
Asked what he mentioned to his staff at halftime, Panama coach Thomas Christiansen advised reporters: “I advised them they need to be fearless.
“That they have to increase their level of confidence. That they are capable of doing what they did in the second half. And after the goal, like Uruguay, we generated opportunities.”
Uruguay had been on the ropes for a lot of the second half, however Nunez, who had already missed a string of possibilities, settled their nerves within the eighty fifth minute with a coolly taken volley into the underside nook after a rebound dropped kindly for him.
In a frenetic spell throughout stoppage time, Vina rose highest to move dwelling Uruguay’s third from a set piece earlier than Michael Amir Murillo netted a comfort purpose for Panama after slicing again onto his left foot and curling his shot previous Rochet.
Uruguay’s all-time main scorer Luis Suarez, 37, was an unused substitute.
Uruguay subsequent face Bolivia in New Jersey on Thursday, whereas Panama takes on the United States in Atlanta.
Source: www.dailysabah.com