Darwin Nunez, a Liverpool attacker, helped Uruguay get off to a fast start at the Copa America, scoring late in their opening 3-1 victory over Panama.
After group rivals USA defeated Bolivia 2-0 earlier in the evening, Marcelo Bielsa’s team knew they had to start well in their curtain-raiser at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
And, thanks to goals from Maximiliano Araujo, Nunez, and Matias Vina, they cruised to a simple victory over Panama in Florida, despite conceding a late goal that became nothing more than a consolation.
Araujo put Uruguay ahead in the 16th minute of the game after picking up the ball on the edge of the box and curling a magnificent left-footed shot into the top-right corner.
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Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez helped Uruguay hit the ground running at the Copa America
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Panama worked their way back into the game after falling a goal behind early on in Miami
Panama pushed and puffed in pursuit of an equaliser after the break, but with just under six minutes remaining, Nunez pounced on a loose ball in the box and volleyed home to make it 2-0.
Vina then converted a Nicolas de la Cruz free kick in stoppage time to give Uruguay a third goal, before Michael Amir Murillo scored the consolation right at the end.
Uruguay now leads Group C early on, albeit in terms of goals scored, having scored one more than the United States.
Bielsa and his team will next face Bolivia on Thursday before facing the United States in what might be a shootout for first place on Monday, July 1.
Earlier in the evening, the USA put up an equally polished display, with Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun scoring to seal a two-goal victory over Bolivia.
Pulisic was at his dazzling best on the night, setting up Balogun’s goal after opening the scoring early in the first half.
