KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Reuters) – Uruguay defender Mathias Olivera scored to steer his side into the Copa America quarter-finals with a 1-0 win in Missouri on Monday over hosts United States, who were knocked out after finishing third in Group C.
Uruguay finish as group winners after winning all three matches, with Panama beating Bolivia 3-1 to finish second on six points – three ahead of the U.S.
The U.S., needing a win to give themselves the best chance of progression, started the match with real urgency, but the South Americans grew into the game as the first half wore on and went close to scoring through Darwin Nunez.
The biggest cheer of the night from the crowd at Arrowhead Stadium came in the 64th minute when Bolivia scored an equaliser against Panama in the other Group C match, briefly moving the U.S. up to second place, but their joy was short-lived.
Just two minutes later, Uruguay took the lead as Olivera bundled in a rebound after U.S. goalkeeper Matthew Turner could only parry Ronald Araujo’s header back into the box. The goal was given after a lengthy VAR review for offside.
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru)
