Uruguay and Paraguay qualify for the quarterfinals of Copa America 2021 courtesy of 2-0 wins over Bolivia and Chile respectively on Thursday night.
Follow Us
Uruguay beat Bolivia 2-0 at Arena Pantanal to enter the quarterfinals of Copa America 2021. La Celeste got the lead through an own goal by Jairo Quinteros in the first half before Edinson Cavani sealed their first win of the campaign with a second-half strike. In the other match of the day, Paraguay beat Chile with the same scoreline to ensure their qualification to the last-8. Braian Samudio opened the scoring before Miguel Almiron extended the lead from the penalty spot.
Uruguay broke the deadlock in the 40th minute. Central defender Quinteros, while attempting to block De Arrascaeta’s cross from the right side of the penalty area, deflected the ball on to goalkeeper Carlos Lampe and thereby into the net.
Eleven minutes from time, substitute Facundo Torres’ pass was driven by Cavani past Lampe to make the score 2-0. It was Cavani’s 52nd international goal. Even though Oscar Tabarez’s side created more chances, Lampe had an excellent game to deny them on a number of occasions.
Early in the game, Luis Suarz set up Arrascaeta with a beautiful flick. But, the number 10’s shot from 20 yards out went over the crossbar. Few minutes after the shot, two of them combined again. This time Arrascaeta provided the through ball for Suarez. But, Lampe was quick to come out of line to deny the Atletico Madrid striker.
In the 20th minute, a long ball from the back picked up Cavani inside the box with Suarez alongside him. However the two most potent strike partners in world football wasted the one against two opportunity. Cavani’s delay in taking the shot allowed Lampe to steal the ball from his legs. Just before the interval, Lampe made a full stretch dive to his left side to deny Suarez’s freekick from going in.
After the break, Uruguay started from where they had left off. Cavani was denied by Lampe from seven yards. few minutes later, substitute Rodrigo Bentacur’s long range attempt was superbly tipped over.
At the other side of the pitch Fernando Muslera didn’t have too much to do. Ramiro Vaca’s long range attempt was the closest they got, it was tipped over the crossbar by Muslera.
In the other match of the day, Paraguay got the better of Chile at Brasilia. Almiron was the star of the match as he provided an assist and scored a goal for Eduardo Berizzo’s side. Samudio gave Paraguay the lead in the 33rd minute as he headed in from Almiron’s cross. Almiron extended the lead from the penalty spot to take Paraguay through to the last-eight. They join Argentina, Uruguay and Chile from Group A.
In the final round match of the group, Uruguay will take on Paraguay. The loser will face Brazil in the quarter-final.
