Copa America: Uruguay start with a bang

Rio de Janeiro, June 17  

Uruguay crushed Ecuador 4-0 in their Copa America opener on Sunday with help from an early sending off that deflated their opponents and assured the 15-time champions the simplest of starts to their campaign.

Uruguay were already leading 1-0 from a sixth minute Nicolas Lodeiro goal when Jose Quintero was shown a VAR-assisted red card for throwing an arm in an aerial challenge. The 23rd minute sending off put Uruguay firmly in the driving seat and Edinson Cavani with an acrobatic volley and Luis Suarez with a poacher’s goal made it 3-0 by half-time.

The Uruguayans took their foot off the pedal in an uneventful second half but an own goal from Arturo Mina 12 minutes from time, confirmed by VAR, sealed a miserable night for Ecuador.

“We had our chances in the first half and we took them. That allowed us to manage the game,” Cavani said. “They went down to 10 men and that allowed us to control the match.” 

The result, Uruguay’s biggest win in the Copa America since 1967, puts them top of Group C, with Japan to play Chile in the second group game tomorrow.

Qatar snatch draw 

Qatar, headed by Spain’s Felix Sanchez, secured an unexpected 2-2 draw against Paraguay, fighting back from a two-goal deficit and notching their first ranking point ever in Copa America. — Agencies

Shape-up or ship-out: PSG chief to Neymar 

Paris: Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi warned Neymar and his other highly-paid stars that they must shape-up or ship-out, claiming “celebrity behaviour” at the French champions will not be tolerated. “The players will have to assume their responsibilities even more than before,” Al-Khelaifi said. “It must be completely different, they will have to do more, work more. They are not here to please themselves and if they do not agree, the doors are open. I do not want to have celebrity behaviour anymore. I have realised that changes were essential.” AFP

US ease past Chile to book place in last-16

PARIS: Striker Carli Lloyd scored twice as the United States beat Chile 3-0 on Sunday, sending the current holders into the last 16 at the Women’s World Cup. Lloyd, one of the biggest names in the women’s game, became the first player to score in six consecutive World Cup matches but missed out on a hat-trick when she put a late penalty wide. Chilean goalkeeper Christiane Endler won plaudits after pulling off several stunning saves to keep the score down. The United States, who moved to the top of group F on goal difference with six points, joined Sweden in the knockout phase. China and Spain played out a 0-0 draw in their final World Cup Group B match today and the result was good enough for both teams to advance to the last 16 after Germany beat South Africa 4-0 in the other game. Germany progressed as group winners with a perfect record of three victories while Spain finished second on four points. Reuters