Match 21 - Uruguay 1-0 USA
USA lost their must-win game and depart the Copa América they are hosting at the group stage. The already qualified Uruguay team refused to let up the momentum they are building and pressured the team with home advantage throughout. While possession was all but even between the teams, down to touches in the opposition box, Uruguay were more successful at parlaying their pressure into shots - they had 12 with 5 on target to USA having only 8 with 3 on target.
This was a physical and bruising game and there are questions to be answered over the referees handling of it. But the main takaway is the highest ranked team in the group are out.
Match 22 - Panama 3-1 Bolivia
While Bolivia have played in every Copa since 1963, the year they won the competition, this is the fourth consecutive time they have failed to get out of the group. Panama are playing only their second Copa and a dominant display has earned them a quarter-final spot. As with the other game in the group possession was about even, but Panama converted theirs into so much more pressure, having more than twice the touches in the opposition box and twice as many shots.
A goal on 22nd minutes gave Panama control of the game and they seemed to be using it well, but Bruno Miranda's 69th minute equaliser called for a response. It came ten minutes later and a goal in the first minute of extra time meant their would be no dropped points.
This was the first Copa América match to be referred by an all woman team, they acuitted themselves far better than their colleague in the other match.
| Match Number | Teams | 1st Half Score | 2nd Half Score | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Uruguay v USA | 0-0 | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| 22 | Panama v Bolivia | 1-0 | 2-1 | 3-1 |
| Total Matchday Goals | 1 | 4 | 5 | |
| Total Tournament Goals | 17 | 31 | 48 |
Tomorrows two matches are the final set of group games:
| Team A | Team B | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica | Paraguay | Austin, TX |
| Brazil | Colombia | Santa Clara, CA |
Colombia are through, and Paraguay are out. As Brazil and Costa Rica drew it will come down to goal difference and, if that is level, goals scored. At this point Brazil have the advantage in both. It would require A costa Rica win, Brazil loss and a 7 goal swing for the two teams to swap places in the table.
it feels unlikely
text by stuartcturnbull art by CONMEBOL & altered by stuartcturnbull