Uruguay defeated Panama at their Copa America match opener at the Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, taking the lead against the United States in the group charts.
Maximiliano Araujo, defender for Uruguay, scored the first goal of the game in the 16th minute mark with a curling touch to the net. Liverpool star Darwin NunÞez scored a left-footed goal at 85 minutes after failed attempts to score in the first half.
Panama attempted to keep up after Uruguay’s Matias VinÞa kicked the last goal for the team. With just seconds before ending, Panamanian defender Michael Murillo scored a right-side goal.
Inter Miami star Luis Suarez was a no-show on the field, acting as a substitute on the bench for the entirety of the game.
“I think Panama played a good game,” said Uruguay defender Ronald Araújo. “We knew the tools they were going to use today and the line of five defenders and also look for the long passes a little…It was important to take off on the right foot.”
Uruguay is now first in the Group C standings. United States is second to qualify in the knockout round followed by Bolivia and Panama.
The next game at the Hard Rock Stadium takes place on Saturday against Argentina and Peru.
