MIAMI — Panama fell 3-1 to Uruguay in Group C of the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Maximiliano Araujo opened the scoring with a brilliant hit from outside the box in the 16’ to place Uruguay in the lead.
Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera was quick to react in the 19’ to deny a header in the box from Giorgian de Arrascaeta.
Mosquera was alert again in the 29’ to deny Uruguay’s Darwin Nuñez from close distance.
Jose Fajardo had a shot from long-range in the 37’ but was wide of the target. Fajardo had a closer attempt on the other side of halftime, in the 54’, but Uruguay was spared.
Panama came close to tying in the 59’, but Jose Rodriguez was denied by goalkeeper Sergio Rochet.
Darwin Nuñez eventually extended Uruguay’s lead in the 85' with a left-footed volley.
Matias Viña added a third for the South Americans in the 90'+1 with a header to connect on a free kick from Nicolas de la Cruz.
Michael Murillo took one back for Panama with a curve ball in the 90'+5 to deny the clean sheet.
Panama will meet the United States in a Concacaf clash on Thursday in Atlanta. Afterward, Uruguay will face Bolivia in a South American encounter to conclude Group C action in New Jersey.
FACT:
The Uruguay vs. Panama match was the 100th match for a CONCACAF team in the CONMEBOL Copa America. The first match was Uruguay 1 USA 0 on June 16, 1993. The 50th match was Argentina 1 Mexico 0 on July 10, 2004.