Uruguay began their Copa América journey with a 3-1 triumph over Panama on Sunday night.
This victory brought Uruguay level with the United States, both teams now holding three points each.
The U.S. secured a 2-0 victory over Bolivia in the other Group C match of the day.
Aiming for a record-breaking 16th Copa América title, Uruguay showcased their dominance with 20 shots, seven of which were on target.
Panama’s Michael Amir Murillo scored in the final moments of the match.
Araújo opened the scoring by receiving a pass from Viña just outside the penalty area.
He took a touch, turned, and curled the ball past goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera’s outstretched left arm, marking his second goal in nine international appearances.
Núñez doubled the lead in the 85th minute following a turnover by Panama in midfield. Nicolás de la Cruz delivered a long cross to Araújo, whose header deflected off Murillo’s shoulder and landed at Núñez’s feet. He volleyed it in from 12 yards, earning his 12th goal in 24 appearances and his ninth in the last six matches.
Viña extended the lead to 3-0 with a header from de la Cruz’s free kick in the first minute of stoppage time, out-jumping defender Abdiel Ayarza for his first international goal.
Murillo managed to score for Panama by spinning a defender and beating goalkeeper Sergio Rochet in the fourth minute of stoppage time, securing his ninth international goal.
Under coach Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay has been rebuilding after the retirements of Edinson Cavani and Diego Godín.
The younger roster has proven capable of competing at a high level, defeating Lionel Messi’s Argentina and an inconsistent Brazil in World Cup qualifiers, and then trouncing Mexico 4-0 in a friendly earlier this month.
Luis Suárez, the 37-year-old striker and Uruguay’s career leading scorer who was player of the tournament in 2011, did not participate in this match.
Uruguay, tied with Argentina for a record 15 Copa América titles, hasn’t progressed past the quarter-finals since their last championship in 2011.
Panama, in its second appearance as a guest team in South America’s championship, failed to advance past the group stage in 2016.
Uruguay will face Bolivia in New Jersey on Thursday, while Panama will take on the US in Atlanta.
The group concludes on July 1 with a US-Uruguay game and Panama facing Bolivia in Florida. The top two teams will advance to the quarter-finals.
The match attracted 33,425 spectators to Hard Rock Stadium, home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, which will also host the Copa América final on July 14 and seven matches during the 2026 World Cup.
