On the morning of June 28, the second round of Group C of the Copa America group stage was played successively, with Panama defeating the United States 2-1 and Uruguay beating Bolivia 5-0. These two matches not only changed the situation of qualifying from the group, but also sounded the alarm bell for defending champions Argentina. Let's take a look back at the competition!
The rise of the Panama team, the "dark horse", is amazing. After losing 3-1 to Uruguay in the opening round, who would have thought they would pull off a miracle in the second round?
Against a strong U.S. team, Panama showed remarkable resilience and fighting spirit. At the beginning of the game, the United States team suffered a difficult situation, the goal was disallowed in the fifth minute, and then in the 18th minute, American player Weah was sent off for a serious foul.
This turn of events took a turn for the worse. Despite this, the United States opened the scoring in the 22nd minute through Balogun. However, Panama were not defeated, and just four minutes later, Blackman equalised.
In first-half stoppage time, the United States missed a great chance to score, which became the turning point of the game. In the second half, Panama went from strength to strength, and in the 83rd minute, Fajardo's goal helped the team to overtake the score.
Even after being sent off in the 88th minute with a red card for Caraschilia, Panama held on tenaciously to win. The victory was not just a matter of luck, but also the result of the Panamanian team's solidarity and hard work.
They have proved with practical actions that the world of the "rich" is not always the world of the "rich" on the football field. You know, the starting lineup of the United States team is worth 198 million euros, while the Panamanian team is only 16.55 million euros, this huge difference should make the game without suspense.
But the Panamanian team used their passion and willpower to bridge the gap and give everyone an unforgettable night of football.
Meanwhile, in the other match, Uruguay staged a goalscoring feast. Against Bolivia, ranked 86th in the world, Uruguay showed unrivalled dominance.
Just seven minutes into the game, Pellistri opened the door for Uruguay with a beautiful header. Nunez, Maximiliano Alajo, Valverde and Bentancur then took turns to push the score all the way up to 5-0.
Uruguay's performance was flawless, with a razor-sharp attack and a solid defence. This luxury lineup, which is worth a whopping 366 million euros, has shown dominance commensurate with its strength.
By comparison, Bolivia's €7.7 million paled in comparison, and their only bright spot in the game was perhaps an unsuccessful long-range lob in the 39th minute.
The results of these two matches undoubtedly gave the defending champion Argentina a blow to the head. Uruguay's strong rise is reminiscent of their historical feud with Argentina.
As an old rival of Argentina, Uruguay has always been an opponent that Messi's team does not want to meet. In this Copa America, Argentina's road to defending the title looks to be extremely difficult.
More interestingly, Argentina and Uruguay are tied for first place in the number of Copa America titles, both with 15.
And the result of this Copa America is likely to break this draw and decide who is the real king of the Americas. This potentially historic moment will undoubtedly make the battle between the two teams even more intense.
On top of that, Uruguay's strong performance is a direct threat to Argentina's position. The 5-0 thrashing of Bolivia not only showcased Uruguay's incredible attacking firepower, but also highlighted their overall quality.
This team looks to have a big appetite and is clearly not content to qualify from the group, but is gearing up for the title.
You must know that Uruguay has always been Argentina's bitter host, and the two teams can always spark when they meet. If they meet in the knockout stages, Argentina may face a tough battle.
Panama's surprise defeat to the United States also proves that there is a huge uncertainty in this Copa America. The fact that the 43rd-placed team was able to beat the 11th-placed team shows that the difference in quality does not guarantee the outcome of the match.
For Argentina, this means they can't take it lightly and have to give it their all even against seemingly weaker opponents. Any slight defeat could lead to an unexpected defeat that could affect the entire title defense.
The defeat of the American team is even more worthy of Argentina's vigilance. Although the U.S. team is not as strong as Argentina, their style of play is somewhat similar to Argentina's, focusing on ball control and organizing attacks.
Panama's ability to defeat the United States shows that they have found a way to restrain this style of play. Argentina will need to study this game in case they face a similar dilemma in the future.
In addition, this round of matches also exposed possible problems with high-ranked teams. The U.S. team failed to adjust its tactics in time in the face of adversity, which ultimately led to a big defeat.
This is a reminder that Argentina, as favourites to win the title, could be the target of other teams. How to remain calm in the face of adversity and flexibly adjust tactics will be a key issue for Argentina to consider.
Finally, let's not forget the delicate balance of Copa America wins. Both Argentina and Uruguay have won the title 15 times so far, and this tournament is likely to break that draw.
This puts extra pressure on Argentina as they not only have to fight to defend their title, but also to fight for the title of the most champions in history. This pressure, if not handled properly, can affect the team's performance.
In the next game, Argentina will need to show their quality and resilience. Messi and his teammates must always be focused, respecting each opponent while believing in their own abilities. Only then will they be able to have the last laugh in this uncertain Copa America and take home the trophy once again.
The 2024 Copa America has already shown us what it can do, and the next games are sure to be even more exciting. Whether you are a fan or a player, you will witness the birth of legendary moments. In this passionate arena, every game can change history, and every goal can become eternal. Let's wait and see what kind of surprises and touches this feast of South American football will bring us.
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