The atmosphere over GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri was that of pure adrenaline as the tournament’s hosts, the United States, played for their last chance to qualify for the Quarterfinals, against Uruguay. While the United States all but needed a win to qualify, Uruguay only needed a draw to secure their spot in the knockout rounds.
The crowd, the players and the staff of both teams could feel the pressure and the energy that were released once the whistle blew and the ball was kicked at the center circle. The first half was as physical as one could expect from a seemingly must-win encounter for the United States. Both teams lost a player to injury in the first 45’, Maxi Araujo for Uruguay and Florian Balogun for the United States, and neither team created many clear-cut chances.
Moving on to the second half, Uruguay had the ball in the back of the net in the 66′ when Mathias Olivera scored a rebound off Matt Turner’s gloves to put Uruguay up 1-0.
The U.S. kept throwing attacking players forward, but it turned out to be in vain. The Uruguayans defended valiantly and with an intensity that it was as if their journey in the tournament on the line. In the end they were rewarded with their third victory and the hosts journey came to an end as the final whistle blew.
Uruguay is headed to the Quarterfinals, and as winners of Group C, they will play the second place finisher of Group D which will be determined tomorrow between Brazil, Colombia and Costa Rica. The match will take place on July 6 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The United States has been eliminated from the competition.