Uruguay's Edinson Cavani gestures during a Copa America soccer match against Bolivia at Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba, Brazil, Thursday, June 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
The Associated Press
SAO PAULO (AP) - Uruguay beat Bolivia 2-0 on Thursday to secure its spot in the Copa America knockout stage. It was the first victory for the Uruguayans after three matches in the tournament.
Bolivia, which could have jumped ahead of Uruguay on the table, now has a slim chance of advancing.
Bolivian goalkeeper Carlos Lampe, one of the best players of the match, opened the scoring with an own goal in the 40th minute.
Edinson Cavani doubled the Uruguayan lead from short range in the 79th minute at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba. It was the veteran striker's first goal for Uruguay since November.
Argentina leads Group A with seven points, followed by Chile with five. Uruguay has four, Paraguay three and Bolivia none.
Uruguay will end its group stage campaign on Monday against Paraguay in a match that could decide which team faces defending champions and favorites Brazil in the quarterfinals.
'œWe have to think about winning, not about choosing rivals,'ť Uruguay midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta said. 'œWe created a lot of opportunities, we missed some that were very clear, but this gives us confidence. We never stopped believing in this squad.'ť
Bolivia will play against Argentina on the same day, needing a win against Lionel Messi's team and a Paraguayan defeat to have any chance of going through.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Uruguay's Edinson Cavani, center, heads the ball during a Copa America soccer match against Bolivia at Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba, Brazil, Thursday, June 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
The Associated Press
Uruguay's Rodrigo Bentancur, left, fights for the ball with Bolivia's Henry Vaca during a Copa America soccer match at Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba, Brazil, Thursday, June 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
The Associated Press
Uruguay's Edinson Cavani celebrates with his teammates after scoring his team's second goal against Bolivia during a Copa America soccer match at Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba, Brazil, Thursday, June 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
The Associated Press
Uruguay's Luis Suarez looks on during a Copa America soccer match against Bolivia at Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba, Brazil, Thursday, June 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
The Associated Press
Uruguay's Luis Suarez, front, fights for the ball with Bolivia's Adrian Jusino during a Copa America soccer match at Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba, Brazil, Thursday, June 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
The Associated Press
Bolivia's goalkeeper Carlos Lampe, left, stops an attempt on goal by Uruguay's Giorgian de Arrascaeta during a Copa America soccer match at Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba, Brazil, Thursday, June 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
The Associated Press
Bolivia's goalkeeper Carlos Lampe stops a ball during a Copa America soccer match against Uruguay at Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba, Brazil, Thursday, June 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
The Associated Press