Mexico and Uruguay look to avoid second round match against Argentina

By: Jonny Rico
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The Mexican National Team and Uruguay are set to make its Copa America Centenario debut on Sunday June 5 at University of Phoenix Stadium. Both teams are heavy favorites to qualify out of Group C and into the quarterfinals stage having to face Venezuela and Jamaica in its two other group stage matches.

Both Uruguay and Mexico are expected to pick up wins against Jamaica and Venezuela, making the opening Group C match of utter importance. The group’s winner will go up against the Group B runners up while the second place finishers in Group C will have to face the Group B winners.

On the other side, in Group B, tournament favorites Argentina expected to top the group and reigning Copa America champion Chile predicted to finish second. Whichever team can pick up the win and the three points on Sunday in Phoenix will have a good chance to qualify as first place in Group C and avoid facing Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the quarterfinals.

MEXICO VS URUGUAY IN COPA AMERICA

Since the South America football confederation (CONMEBOL) started to invite Mexico into its continental competition in 1993, El Tri has faced the 2-time World Champion Uruguay on five occasions. The North American side hold a 2-1-2 advantage against the South Americans in the five Copa meetings.

In the latest matchup between the two, Uruguay played to its first ever win against Mexico at a Copa America beating El Tri 1-0 in the 2011 edition.

Previously to that 2011 match, Mexico and Uruguay played its most meaningful Copa America match at the 2007 third place match. Both teams reached the semifinals and fell just short of the final. In that occasion Mexico played to a 3-1 win over Uruguay to captured the third place finish for the third time in its Copa America history.

URUGUAY WILL BE HANDICAPPED AGAINST MEXICO

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez will be unavailable for Uruguay during the opening Group C match against Mexico. The South American side has plenty of talent to replace Suarez but a talent like his will always be missed when not there.

Mexico on the other hand arrive to the tournament with no injuries and full squad ready to fight for its first Copa America title.