Bolivia took on Uruguay in a Copa America 2021 group stage match. Uruguay came out as comfortable winners as their star power was too much to handle for the minnows Bolivia. Arena Pantanal was the venue for the 3rd match of the group stages for both the teams.
👏🏻🇺🇾 ¡La Celeste, adentro!
🎟️ @Uruguay superó por 2 a 0 a @laverde_fbf en Cuiabá y aseguró su boleto a los cuartos de final de la CONMEBOL #CopaAmérica 🏆.
🗒️ ESP https://t.co/Rigx1Ncl2R
🗒️ PT https://t.co/vH1PmiUvo3#VibraElContinente #VibraOContinente pic.twitter.com/JaRC96j57A— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) June 24, 2021
Uruguay went ahead in the 40th minute against Bolivia due to an own goal by Carlos Lampe.Possession was dominated by Uruguay throughout the game as Bolivia struggled to contain them.
The men from Bolivia really struggled to hold the ball and string some passes together in the defensive third of Uruguay.
Even though Uruguay dominated the ball their play in the defensive third of Bolivia was slightly sluggish in the first half as they should have been two up by the end of the half.
In the second half the relentless pressure by Uruguay continued as Bolivia could hardly muster up an attack that would seriously threaten Muslera’s goal.
La tranquilidad de Fernando Muslera 👏🏽
🇧🇴 Bolivia 🆚 Uruguay 🇺🇾#VibraElContinente #VibraOContinente pic.twitter.com/bccY2guR9H
— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) June 24, 2021
Finally in the 73rd minute after an excellent cross from Facundo Torres into Edinson Cavani’s path in Bolivia’s box yielded the second goal for Uruguay and put the game to bed.
#CopaAmérica 🏆@Uruguay consiguió su primer triunfo en esta CONMEBOL #CopaAmérica tras vencer 2-0 a @laverde_fbf con goles de Carlos Lampe, en contra, y Edinson Cavani. Estas fueron las acciones más destacadas
🇧🇴 Bolivia 🆚 Uruguay 🇺🇾#VibraElContinente #VibraOContinente pic.twitter.com/LnJMHbUp58
— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) June 24, 2021
Uruguay knocked the ball around well after that with swiftness as they did manage to carve open Bolivia but were not able to capitalize and extend their lead further.
The game ended 2-0 in Uruguay’s favour. Here are some of the main takeaways from the match.
URUGUAY NEED TO BE MORE CLINICAL
Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez both showed that they are still young at heart. Their constant movement and understanding cause havoc for Bolivia in the game.
Their movement saw them carve out excellent opportunities for themselves but were not able to execute the finishes. Surely a younger and physically fitter version of themselves would have put them away with ease.
¡Enorme el Pistolero! La calidad de Luis Suárez 🇺🇾 también sirve para asistir a sus compañeros 👏🏽
🇧🇴 Bolivia 🆚 Uruguay 🇺🇾#VibraElContinente #VibraOContinente pic.twitter.com/za9pZLbW1Z
— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) June 24, 2021
Even though Cavani and Suarez’s movement made Uruguay’s first goal he should have opened the scoring in the 22nd minute of the match as he failed to shoot in time into an almost empty goal.
Uruguay should have won the game 4-0 in fact as Maxi Gomez missed a gilt edge chance in the dying embers of the game but failed to convert.
Finish lad 👏 #CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/p0QZSWFxQJ
— Sean Rafferty (@0varyStripe) June 24, 2021
Perhaps the over reliance on two of their most prolific strikers in history was slightly apparent. Tabarez must be slightly irked with all the missed chances though.
Eight yards out. Wide open goal. Then this happens 😳
Maxi Gomez with an all-time miss at #CopaAmerica. #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/b6SFWLTTuB
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) June 24, 2021
As the longest serving manager in international football he would have realized that the missed opportunities can become a major issue against bigger and better teams.
A SILVER LINING FOR BOLIVIA
Bolivia are definitely out of Copa America 2021, but the return of their national icon Marcelo Martins Moreno was a good sign. The player was banned for the first game and injured for the second . He is an obvious source of inspiration for this Bolivian side. It was great to see him take to pitch for the first time at this year’s tournament.
Toda la confianza al GOLEADOR HISTÓRICO de Bolivia 💪🇧🇴#VibraElContinente #CopaAmérica pic.twitter.com/c04Vn7bKQ0
— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) June 24, 2021
Although he did not start he did come on in the second half to be the focal point for Bolivia against an extremely resolute defence of Uruguay.
NAHITAN NANDEZ A STAR AND FACUNDO TORRES A STAR IN THE MAKING
Nahitan Nandez once again showed why he is being linked to move this summer. The midfield dynamo who can play anywhere in midfield has been exceptional for Uruguay throughout the tournament. In this game against Bolivia he was dominating his flank.
EL SOCIO DE TODOS 💪
Nahitan Nández es el Jugador del Partido 👏#VibraElContinente #CopaAmérica pic.twitter.com/jER0wVig3A
— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) June 24, 2021
He did not let Bolivia push up from his side and kept his full back pinned back in the corner. His work rate genuinely makes him a steal for any club.
Facundo Torres, an young attacker has shown a lot of promise in his limited minutes at Copa America. The 21 year old has looked like a serious all round attacking threat.
⚽️👀@facutorresss pic.twitter.com/4ZKg4Rkc9t
— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) June 13, 2021
His superb low cross for Cavani’s goal made it apparent. The youngster surely has a very bright future ahead of him.
