Rio de Janeiro: Argentina landed their first win of the Copa America 2021 beating Uruguay 1-0 in a Group B fixture on Saturday. Guido Rodriguez’s first-half strike made all the difference for Lionel Messi & Co. Chile also claimed their maiden victory in the campaign going past Bolivia 1-0, thanks to Ben Brereton.
Having drawn against Chile in their campaign opener, it was a much-needed win for the Argentines. This win moved them to the top of the group. Argentina dominated the first half but were unlucky to have five shots hit the woodwork. Uruguay failed to test opposition goalie Emiliano Martinez even once.
The creativity and the hold that Argentina showed throughout the game, was indeed soothing to the eyes of the La Albiceleste fans. The Argentine talisman Lionel Messi was as usual the best man on the pitch, providing Guido Rodriguez with a lovely assist on 13 minutes which the latter headed in.
Nicolas Otamendi was clearly the best man in the defense as he ked the backline with utmost authority. Uruguay seemed a better side in the second half but the La Celeste could do nothing to secure any point from the tie. Neither Edinson Cavani nor Luis Suarez could cut the edge for them. Â
Elsewhere, Ben Brereton excelled on debut with the 10th-minute strike from a swift counter-attack that helped Chile pocket full points. That’s not all, the England-born Brereton tested was in action throughout the match even testing Bolivian goalkeeper Carlos Lampe several times.
The scoreline could have been 2-0 for Chile had Eduardo Vargas’s goal in the injury time not ruled out due to offside. The absence of Bolivian talisman Marcel Moreno was thoroughly felt as they could register only three shots on goal.Â
