Watch USA vs Bolivia full match replay and highlights.
KICK-OFF at 22:00 (GMT) on 23rd June 2024
The referee for this match is M. Mariani
Game played at AT&T Stadium
This is a match in South America – CONMEBOL Copa America, Group C, Season 2024
USA Begins Copa América Campaign with 2-0 Victory Over Bolivia
In a strong start to their Copa América challenge, the USA secured a convincing 2-0 victory against Bolivia at AT&T Stadium in Texas. First-half goals from Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun set the tone, giving the Stars and Stripes their first winning start in the tournament since 1995.
Early Dominance and Pulisic’s Milestone
Tournament hosts USA, buoyed by a spirited warm-up draw against favorites Brazil, showed confidence from the outset. Folarin Balogun almost opened the scoring in the first minute, but a heavy first touch after Joe Scally’s effort left him wanting. However, the USA took the lead seconds later when captain Christian Pulisic, capitalizing on a short corner, found space to curl a shot beyond Guillermo Viscarra. This goal drew Pulisic level with Brian McBride in fifth place on the all-time national goal-scoring list.
Bolivia’s Struggles and Balogun’s Clinical Finish
Bolivia, in a transitional phase after the retirement of several experienced players, struggled to find their rhythm. They appeared set for a 12th consecutive Copa América group stage defeat as Balogun doubled the lead just before halftime. Pulisic, instrumental again, provided the assist, allowing Balogun to finish clinically into the corner after shifting the ball onto his left foot.
Tactical Changes and Continued USA Pressure
Bolivia’s head coach Antônio Carlos Zago, known as “The Terminator” from his playing days, made a triple substitution at halftime to change the game’s dynamics. Despite pushing men forward, Bolivia left gaps at the back. Timothy Weah and Balogun continued to threaten, with an offside decision and an expert save from Viscarra keeping the scoreline unchanged.
Pepi’s Impact and USA’s Stronghold
The Bolivian defense had a brief respite with Balogun’s substitution, only to face the relentless Ricardo Pepi, who tested Viscarra multiple times. The USA’s dominance at AT&T Stadium continued with this victory, marking their sixth consecutive win at the venue.
Next Steps
With this win, the USA heads to Atlanta for another crucial match against Panama, aiming to solidify their position in the tournament. Bolivia, meanwhile, will need to regroup and find form to avoid another early exit.
Key Moments
- Early Goal: Christian Pulisic’s curling effort in the first minute sets the tone.
- Second Goal: Folarin Balogun’s clinical finish before halftime, assisted by Pulisic.
- Defensive Resilience: Guillermo Viscarra’s crucial saves to keep Bolivia in the game.
Conclusion
The USA’s 2-0 victory over Bolivia showcases their growing confidence and potential to make a deep run in Copa América. Pulisic and Balogun’s performances highlight the team’s attacking prowess, while their defensive stability ensures a strong start to the tournament. The upcoming match against Panama will be crucial for maintaining momentum and securing a place in the knockout stages.