The United States, the hosts of Copa America, lost 1-0 to Group C winners on Monday and were consequently eliminated from the competition. Uruguay relegated them to third place and allowed Panama to advance to second.
Uruguay, the group winners, advanced to the quarterfinals with a goal from defender Mathias Olivera. The South Americans won three of their first-round games for the first time since 1959.
Panama’s 3-1 victory over Bolivia allowed it to finish in second place with six points, three ahead of the United States. The United States, needing a win to have the best chance of advancing, started well, but Uruguay took over the game as the first half progressed and turned the match into a physical contest.
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Uruguay lost Maximiliano Araujo in the 27th minute after a collision with American defender Tim Ream. The striker was fitted with a neck brace before being removed on a stretcher.
American striker Folarin Balogun also had to be substituted after appearing injured following a hard collision with Uruguayan goalkeeper Sergio Rochet.
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Despite the initial intensity of the hosts’ attack, Uruguay generated the best opportunities in the first half, almost taking the lead in the 38th minute when Olivera launched a dangerous cross into the area, but Darwin Núñez shot wide.
When Bolivia scored the game-winning goal against Panama in the other Group C match, the crowd at Arrowhead Stadium let out the loudest cheer of the night, though it was short-lived as the U.S. briefly moved up to second place.
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Uruguay took the lead in the 66th minute when Olivera grabbed a rebound after U.S. goalkeeper Matthew Turner could only deflect Ronald Araujo’s header into the box. The goal was awarded after a lengthy VAR review for offside.
The United States had an excellent chance to tie in the 75th minute when Rochet lost the ball and found himself several yards from goal, but Christian Pulisic’s deflected shot was stopped by Manuel Ugarte’s goal-line clearance.
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