Uruguay earn opening Copa America win as Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez gets on the scoresheet in 3-1 victory against Panama

Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez helped Uruguay to the start of the Copa America after scoring late in the opening 3-1 win over Panama.

After group rivals USA secured a 2-0 victory over Bolivia earlier in the evening, Marcelo Bielsa’s men knew the pressure was on to get off the line in their performance at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.

And goals from Maximiliano Araujo, Nunez and Matias Vina saw them cruise to an easy win against Panama in Florida, despite a late goal that ultimately proved nothing more than a consolation.

Araujo fired Uruguay ahead in the 16th minute of the match after picking up the ball on the edge of the penalty area and curling a masterful left-foot effort into the top right corner.

Panama worked their way back into the match after falling behind by a goal early in Miami

But Nunez and Co ultimately emerged as comfortable winners after he doubled their lead late in the match

Panama huffed and puffed in search of an equalizer after the break, but with just under six minutes to go Nunez pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area and smashed home a volley to make it 2-0.

Vina then headed home from Nicolas de la Cruz’s free-kick in stoppage time and added a third for Uruguay, before Michael Amir Murillo provided the consolation straight after the death.

It means Uruguay takes an early lead at the top of Group C, albeit on the basis of goals scored after scoring one more than the US.

Next up for Bielsa and Co is a clash with Bolivia on Thursday, before taking on the Stars and Stripes in what could be a shootout for top spot on Monday, July 1.

USA produced an equally professional performance earlier in the evening, with goals from Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun sealing a two-goal victory over Bolivia.

Pulisic was at his brilliant best that night and also set up Balogun for his attack after opening the scoring early in the first half.