Miami Gardens, FL – – Uruguay, one of the prohibitive favorites to win Copa America 2024 defeated a tough Panama squad 3-1 in their tournament debut. Maximiliano Araújo opened the scoring for “La Celeste,” with Darwin Núñez and Matías Viña adding to the tally late in the second half. Amir Murillo scored the consolation goal for Panama for the final scoreline.
Uruguay 🇺🇾 is always one of the favorites at #CopaAmerica, a tournament they are used to winning Photo:@iamlarryfresh pic.twitter.com/Msejm0uGFZ
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) June 24, 2024
Marcelo Bielsa’s team came out with a bang early, creating several chances but unable to score until the 16th minute of play with a spectacular left-footed shot by Maximiliano Araújo for the 1-0 lead. Despite their initial dominance, Uruguay failed to get on the board again in the first half.
Uruguay 🇺🇾 is one of the favorites in #CopaAmèrica2024 & they start off with a banger 💥
pic.twitter.com/kECxr0e7WJ— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) June 24, 2024
Panama came out as a different team in the second half and pinned the Uruguayans into their half of the pitch with constant attacks on goal. Uruguay held its own and added to its tally when Darwin Núñez volleyed a shot into the Panama net in the 85th minute for the 2-0 lead. Matías Viña made it 3-0 one minute into stoppage time with a powerful header off a Nicolás de la Cruz cross into the box.
Darwin Nuñez makes it 2-0 for Uruguay 🇺🇾 who has had their hands full with a tough Panama 🇵🇦 squad#CopaAmèrica2024
pic.twitter.com/h6TgUHBqm5— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) June 24, 2024
Amir Murillo blasted a shot from outside the box 4 minutes into stoppage time to make it a 3-1 final result. Uruguay handled a tough Panama team the way a Copa America contender should, efficiently demonstrating their superior quality.
Uruguay’s Expectations
“La Celeste” has won the Copa America trophy an outstanding 15 times, and they are primed to make it 16 during the Copa America 2024. Uruguay is one of the favorites and rightfully so, with players of the caliber of Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde, Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez, and Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo. The star-studded squad is led by Marcelo Bielsa who has led a youth movement and has the team playing with high intensity and energy all match long. Anything other than a deep run into the tournament would be a failure for “Los Charruas”.
Hard Rock Stadium
Hard Rock Stadium saw a very loud and raucous crowd of 33,425 fans come out Sunday night to witness Uruguay and Panama play their first match in the Copa America 2024 tournament. It was a great turnout and an amazing atmosphere for the match with the large Uruguayan contingency dominating the attendance in the stands. It seemed like a preview and buildup for the upcoming World Cup 2026, where Hard Rock Stadium will host seven matches.
The music is playing, the grills are fired up, and the fans are passionate about their national teams. There’s something about international soccer matches that turns the atmosphere into a party scene. The party is just beginning in Miami for Copa America 2024.
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