Copa America 2021: Edinson Cavani on target as Uruguay claim first win to reach quarter-finals

The 2-0 win eliminates Bolivia from Group B, while over in Group A Paraguay defeated Chile to move second behind Argentina

Edinson Cavani celebrates after scoring Uruguay's second goal against Bolivia during their Copa America match at the Arena Pantanal Stadium in Cuiaba, Brazil. AFP

Edinson Cavani celebrates after scoring Uruguay's second goal against Bolivia. EPA

Uruguay's Edinson Cavani scores during the Copa America match against Bolivia. EPA

Uruguay's Luis Suarez attempts a shot on goal against Bolivia. EPA

Uruguay defender Diego Godin grimaces in pain after being fouled against Bolivia. AP

Luis Suarez slides to control the ball during Uruguay's Copa America match against Bolivia. EPA

Uruguay's Diego Godin Fernando Muslera celebrate after the match. Reuters

Uruguay's Matias Vina makes a slide tackle on Bolivia's Henry Vaca. Getty

Edinson Cavani heads the ball during the Copa America match against Bolivia. AP

Bolivia's Erwin Saavedra (C) and Uruguay's Facundo Torres (R) battle for the ball. AFP

Bolivia's Jairo Quinteros attempts a clearance under pressure from Edinson Cavani. Getty

Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Lampe saves a shot from Uruguay's Giorgian de Arrascaeta, as he is followed by Jairo Quinteros and Adrian Jusino. AP

Edinson Cavani scored his 52nd goal for Uruguay on Thursday in a 2-0 Copa America victory over Bolivia, who became the first team eliminated from the competition.

Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Lampe saw the ball deflected off him for Jairo Quinteros's unlucky own goal to open the scoring but at times almost single-handedly kept his side in the game.

Paraguay went second in Group A behind Argentina with a 2-0 win over Chile, who dropped to third with Uruguay fourth.

The result left Bolivia unable to catch any of the teams above them, who have all qualified for the quarter-finals.

"The appearance of Covid weakened us. We've played well, we tried to play without making mistakes but we didn't have any luck," Bolivia coach Cesar Farias said.

A first-half header from Braian Samudio and second half Miguel Almiron penalty gave Paraguay a second victory in three matches.

With one match left, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay can still win Group A, while Brazil, who controversially beat Colombia 2-1 on Wednesday, have already wrapped up top spot in Group B.

Colombia have also qualified for the quarter-finals but one of Peru, Ecuador and Venezuela will miss out.

Uruguay thoroughly deserved their first victory of this year's tournament as they dominated throughout in Cuiaba, registering 22 shots to Bolivia's four.

"The scoreline doesn't reflect our dominance but we're satisfied," said Uruguay's 74-year-old coach Oscar Tabarez. "We didn't make any mistakes in defence.

"Bolivia didn't have any clear chances so we're happy. It's nothing to celebrate but we're satisfied with the way we played and controlled the match."

Uruguay's star veterans Cavani and Suarez – the two most prolific forwards in Uruguay's history – were a menace to the Bolivian backline throughout the match, even if they didn't always have their shooting boots on.

At one point, the pair somehow contrived to make a mess of two-on-one situation, delaying shooting opportunities and allowing Lampe to come out and swat the ball off Cavani's toes.

By then Uruguay's Giorgian De Arrascaeta had fired over while Lampe had rushed out quickly to smother a Suarez effort.

Uruguay took the lead as De Arrascaeta crossed from the right and a sliding Jairo Quinteros, trying to prevent either of the veteran forwards converting a simple tap-in, deflected the ball off Lampe and into his own net on 40 minutes.

Lampe was in the thick of the action after the break, making a reaction save from Cavani's poke from seven yards, tipping a fierce drive from Rodrigo Betancur over the bar, and scampering backwards to parry a Suarez lob from close to halfway.

Having earlier header over when well placed, Manchester United's Cavani finally ended Bolivia's resistance 11 minutes from time, converting a cross from Facundo Torres.

In Brasilia, Samudio rose above two defenders to power a header from Almiron's corner into the top corner on 33 minutes, leaving goalkeeper Claudio Bravo rooted to his line.

Chile's hopes of getting back into the match suffered a blow when Gary Medel was penalised for clambering all over Carlos Gonzalez in the box, allowing Almiron to send goalkeeper Claudio Bravo the wrong way from the penalty spot on 58 minutes.

Moments later it looked as if Paraguay would have a second penalty when Pablo Galdames appeared to rugby tackle Almiron, but incredibly it wasn't given, even after a VAR check.