da bwin： Liverpool's Darwin Nunez starred to lead Uruguay past Bolivia as they close in on the Copa America knockout stages
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Uruguay defeat Bolivia 5-0La Celeste top Group CAlmost certain of spot in Copa America knockoutsGetty ImagesTELL ME MORE
Two first-half strikes told the story as Uruguay all but confirmed their spot in the Copa America knockout round with a dominant 5-0 victory over Bolivia. An early goal from Manchester United youngster Facundo Pellistri, a close range header, set the tempo early on.
Darwin Nunez added a second goal in the 21st minute, and that was the strike that dictated the match. Marcelo Bielsa's side controlled every aspect of the match, with the floodgates opening late.
In the 76th minute, Maxi Araujo snuck a goal underneath a rushing Bolivian goalkeeper, making it three – but they weren't done there.
Five minutes later, Real Madrid superstar Federico Valverde notched a fourth, putting the match out of reach for Bolivia. The cherry on top, however, arrived in the 89th minute when Rodrigo Bentancur headed home a sensational cross from Giorgian de Arrascaeta.
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Uruguay are 15-time Copa America champions. Their last Copa championship came in 2011, when Diego Forlan netted a brace following an 11th-minute opener from none other than Luis Suarez.
Getty ImagesTHE MVP
Darwin Nunez:
Once again, their big striker shined. With seven straight matches with a goal for Uruguay, Nunez was dominant in the final third for the second-straight Copa America match. With two goals so far, he firmly put his foot in the race for the Golden Boot for Copa America, as he looks to lead La Celeste in their path towards the final.
THE BIG LOSER
Bolivia:
La Verde are on the brink of elimination heading into matchday three. They will need a win against Panama Monday, and a dominant one at that. They will need La Celeste to top the USMNT and they will need to make up their goal differential to best the U.S. for a potential berth in the knockouts.