The Copa America group stage concluded with unexpected results: Uruguay, with a dominant performance, claimed the top spot in Group C, while the United States, the host nation, suffered a surprising exit. In a turn of events, Panama, a team not widely expected to advance, secured their place in the quarterfinals for the first time in their history.

Uruguay took a convincing 1-0 win to finish off the Copa dreams of the USA. The game’s only goal was by Mathías Olivera in the 66th minute, a reverse that surged a wave of disappointment through the home crowd. The USA did not create so many explicit scoring opportunities throughout the tournament, ultimately getting punished for all the inconsistencies.

On the other hand, the Panamanians continued their fairy-tale run, easing to a 3-1 win over Bolivia to seal their place in the knockout stages for the first time at the Copa America. Their attack has surprised many because of their strong defence, and they will want to keep defying expectations.

With group C finally sorted out, Uruguay has taken 9 points and Panama 6, so they move on to the next round, while USA goes home with their 3 points and Bolivia with 0. This means six teams have made it to the quarterfinals: Venezuela, Ecuador, Canada, Argentina, Uruguay, and Panama. Wednesday’s Group D matches will now decide the remaining two quarterfinalists, with Colombia and Brazil firm favourites to progress.

The Copa America group stage has been a tournament of unpredictability, with underdogs making significant strides and giants faltering. The question now is how far Uruguay and Panama, the unexpected heroes of the group stage, can carry their momentum into the knockout stages, which promise to be filled with drama and excitement.