Uruguay began their quest for a record 16th Copa América title with a 3-1 win over Panama on Sunday night. Maximiliano Araújo opened the scoring with a stunning left-footed shot into the top corner in the 16th minute. Darwin Núñez and Matías Viña added late goals to secure the victory.
The match, held at Hard Rock Stadium, saw Uruguay dominate with 20 shots, seven on target. Panama’s Michael Amir Murillo scored a late consolation goal in stoppage time.
Araújo’s goal came after he received a pass from Viña just outside the penalty area, took a touch, and curled the ball past goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera. This marked his second goal in nine international appearances.
Núñez doubled the lead in the 85th minute following a turnover in midfield. Nicolás de la Cruz’s long cross found Araújo, whose header deflected off Murillo and fell to Núñez, who volleyed home from 12 yards. This was Núñez’s 12th goal in 24 appearances, continuing his prolific form with nine goals in his last six matches.
Viña sealed the win in stoppage time with a header from de la Cruz’s free kick, out-leaping defender Abdiel Ayarza for his first international goal.
Murillo scored Panama’s lone goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time, beating goalkeeper Sergio Rochet for his ninth international goal.
Uruguay’s young roster, guided by coach Marcelo Bielsa, has shown promise after the retirements of Edinson Cavani and Diego Godín. The team has notable victories over Argentina and Brazil in World Cup qualifiers and a 4-0 rout of Mexico in a friendly.
Despite Luis Suárez, Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer, not playing, the team performed impressively. Uruguay, tied with Argentina on 15 Copa América titles, is seeking its first championship since 2011.
Panama, making its second appearance as a guest at the South American championship, struggled to contain Uruguay’s attack. The team failed to advance past the group stage in their only previous appearance in 2016.
Uruguay will next face Bolivia in New Jersey on Thursday, while Panama will take on the US in Atlanta. The group stage concludes on July 1 with Uruguay playing the US and Panama facing Bolivia in Florida. The top two teams will advance to the quarter-finals.
The match attracted 33,425 fans to Hard Rock Stadium, which will host seven games during the 2026 World Cup, including the final on July 14.
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