Uruguay beat Bolivia and qualify for the quarterfinals

Uruguay picked up a 2-0 win against Bolivia to confirm their progression to the CONMEBOL Copa America 2021 quarterfinal.

Edinson Cavani and an own goal from goalkeeper Carlos Lampe helped the Celeste to the win.

Bolivia had the first scoring opportunity of the game. With 11 minutes gone, Rodrigo Ramallo broke into the right side of the area and hit a shot that passed just above Fernando Muslera’s crossbar.

However, despite an encouraging start Bolivia were pushed back and Uruguay were clear protagonists in the first half.

The Celeste had two clear chances but Bolivian keeper Lampe made sharp stops to keep them out. The former Boca man first denied Luis Suarez before then denying Nahitan Nandez who followed up on the rebound.

Later Cavani also tried his luck but once again Lampe came out on top.

On 39 minutes Uruguay were finally able to beat Bolivia’s star man between the sticks.

Suárez sent a dangerous cross into the box which Jairo Quinteros slid to intercept but inadvertedly sent the ball goalwards. It hit the unfortunate Lampe on the leg on it’s way in and Uruguay were ahead.

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Uruguay had a chance to double their lead before the break but once again Lampe was the hero, getting a strong hand to a Suárez freekick.

In the second half César Farís brought on talismanic striker and record scorer Marcelo Moreno Martins.

However, not much changed. Uruguay continued to create the clearer chances and Lampe was usually required to keep them out. The Bolivian keeper was the clear contender for man of the match and he was frustrating the Uruguayan forwards.

After a number of chances came and went, Uruguay finally added the second their pressure merited. Edison Cavani finished off a quick Uruguayan break from close range following a perfectly weighted Facundo Torres cross into the box.

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In the final game in Group A on Monday Bolivia meet Argentina at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiabá while Uruguay face Paraguay at the Estadio Nilton Santos.

NUMBERS FROM THE GAME

– Uruguay and Bolivia have met 13 times at the CONMEBOL Copa América on nuetral ground. Uruguay have won 11 times, drawn once and lost once. Their only defeat was a 3-2 loss that came in 1949 in Rio de Janeiro.

– Uruguay end a run of 5 games without a win in all competitions (3 draws, 2 losses). Their last win came against Colombia (3-0) in World Cup qualifiers.  They scored more against Bolivia than they had in these previous 5 games.

– Bolivia has lost 11 consecutive games at the CONMEBOL Copa América. It is the worst run of results for the side in the history of the competition. The last time they avoided defeat at the CONMEBOL Copa América was in 2015 when they beat Ecuador 3-2.

– Uruguay had 22 shots in their 2-0 win against Bolivia. This is the most of any South American team at the CONMEBOL Copa América since at least 2011.

– Edinson Cavani found the net after three games without scoring; his last goal came in the 3-0 win against Colombia. Tonight he had 7 shots with 3 on target.