USA crash out of Copa America after heartbreaking loss to Uruguay

A patriotic America crowd were left devastated at Arrowhead Stadium after the USA failed in a must-win match.

USA have crashed out of Copa America 2024 in the group stages, with the world No. 11 losing 1-0 to Uruguay in their final match.

It left a patriotic crowd at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City stunned, with Panama advancing to the knockout stages instead of the Stars and Stripes; something most would have thought unthinkable prior to the tournament.

It may spell the end of manager Gregg Berhalter’s reign of the team, with the shock loss to Panama on June 28 effectively ruining their chances.

The result means the USA are the first host nation in Copa America history to be knocked out in the group stage.

The US needed a win to progress to the next stage; as well as maintaining their goal advantage over Panama, who were playing a Bolivian side that has leaked goals this tournament.

Juventus forward Timothy Weah was missing after his needless red card for violent conduct against Panama, with Younis Musah coming in for his first start of the tournament.

Uruguay were unchanged, though manager Marcelo Bielsa wasn’t in the dugout after being suspended for taking too long to bring his side back out for the second half against Bolivia.

Berthalter said before the game that he was very mindful of the threat Uruguay posed on the counter attack, and that was exactly what La Celeste were looking to do early in the match, playing direct to Darwin Nunez at every opportunity.

But it was Christian Pulisic who looked like a man on a mission as soon as the opening whistle blew, posing the Uruguayan defence plenty of problems with his speed and relentless running.

With Panama taking a lead just 20 minutes in their clash at the same time, pressure ramped up on the USA to ensure they could get a result.

There were sickening scenes just moments late after a heavy collision between Maximiliano Araujo and Tim Ream during a corner, with the Uruguayan needing to be stretchered off the field in a neck brace.

Fans held their collective breath yet again four minutes later when Monaco

striker Folarin Balogun barrelled into the Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet at full speed as he chased a through ball, with the American later substituted after gingerly walking off the field.

It was a very, very physical game, to put it mildly.

It was played at a frenetic pace with plenty of box-to-box running and not many genuine chances; though play stopped regularly for injury treatment.

But it was certainly an absorbing clash, with both teams going into the sheds a little beat up after a frenetic opening half with it all on the line for the USA.

The match began to open up in the second half, with Uruguay beginning to click nicely in attack thanks principally to Real Madrid star Federico Valverde and Cristian Olivera, who had proved lively down the wing after originally starting on the bench.

You could see Pulisic was growing increasingly desperate as the half wore on, and the USA captain was perhaps guilty of trying too hard in some situations as he tried to carry the entire side on his back.

A loud cheer rang around Arrowhead Stadium with the news Bolivia had scored, making it 1-1: a result which would mean the USA would progress even without a win.

But there was still 30 minutes to play in both games; plenty of time for late drama.

And drama there was just moments later, with a free kick in a dangerous spot finding Nunez, before the parried header then falling to Mathias Olivera to poke home.

There were question marks on whether there was an off-side – but after a very lengthy VAR check the goal stood, much to the delight of the many Uruguay fans in attendance.

Replays showed there was mere millimetres in it, and a call either way would not have shocked.

When Panama scored again over Bolivia, things were getting increasingly desperate for USA, who were throwing everything at La Celeste.

A shot from Pulisic was deflected with 15 minutes remaining, as Uruguay just barely hung on to avert disaster following a mistake from Rochet in his own box.

And that was all she wrote.

Despite being camped in their final third for the majority of the last 20 minutes, USA lacked the killer blow; with Barcelona defender Ronald Arujo leading the defensive line for Uruguay very well.

It meant Group C’s highest-ranked side (in terms of official FIFA rankings) crashed out, with disappointing losses to Panama and Uruguay cost Berthalter’s side.

Uruguay secured their spot at the top, and La Celeste will play one of either Brazil or Colombia in what is sure to be a thoroughly entertaining match-up.