USA 0-1 Uruguay: Grading La Celeste's performance after knocking out the host nation | OneFootball

A close-range finish from Mathias Olivera secured all three points for Uruguay in a feisty encounter with the USMNT at Arrowhead Stadium in Copa America Group C action.

As many will already know, the USMNT and Uruguay weren't the only Group C sides playing on Monday night as Bolivia and Panama also kicked off at the same time at Inter&Co Stadium. While Uruguay had all but confirmed their place in the quarter-finals of the tournament, the US needed to win to secure their place in the last eight -- or hope for Panama to drop points if they were to draw vs La Celeste.

Uruguay -- who were without head coach Marcelo Bielsa after the team came out of the dressing room late in their first two matches -- had the better chances in the first 45 but the USMNT backline held strong. Both sides had players leave the field in the first half due to injury before the controversial referee Kevin Ortega blew his whistle at the end of a 0-0 half.

Over in Orlando, Florida, Panama had taken a 1-0 lead over Bolivia thanks to Jose Fajardo's 22nd minute volleyed effort. That meant that as things stood, Panama would be joining Uruguay in the Copa America quarter-finals and not the Stars and Stripes.

About midway through the second half, Bolivia found an equalizer through Bruno Miranda. Now, the USMNT moved back into second place while Panama slipped into third. Moment, later disaster struck for the US as Uruguay the opener just before the 70th minute mark. Mathias Olivera found the back of the net from close range to to send alarm bells ringing in the USA camp.

To make things worse, Panama regained the lead back at Inter&Co Stadium meaning once more the Stars and Stripes fell back to third place in Group C. Thomas Christiansen's side added to their lead in stoppage time to make it 3-1 and punch their ticket to the last eight.

As Uruguay and Panama advanced out of Group C, the USMNT and Bolivia were the odd ones out who were sent home. Uruguay managed the game well and will be happy to come away from the group stage with all nine points as they await their opponent which will be whoever finishes in second place in Group D: Brazil or Colombia, while Panama will face the winners of the same group.

As for Berhalter and the USA, there will more than likely be large consequences for the hosts crashing out of the tournament at the group stage. The USMNT will have to take a long, hard look in the mirror after a dismal campaign on home soil that just might result in Berhalter losing his job.

Uruguay player ratings ( 4-3-3 )

Uruguay went with the same XI from the win over Bolivia / John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/GettyImages

GK: Sergio Rochet - 6/10 - Untested for most of the match until late on. The Uruguay center-backs made life easy for him.

RB: Nahitan Nandez - 6/10 - His chipped effort nearly found the back of the net if Tim Ream wasn't alert. The Cagliari player also served up several good crosses that posed questions of the USA defense.

CB: Ronald Araujo - 7/10 - Strong throughout the match and was one of Uruguay's best performers.

CB: Mathias Olivera - 7/10 - Excellent alongside Araujo and defended well in the air while also bagging the winning goal.

LB: Matias Vina - 6/10 - Quiet game for the most part outside of a good headed attempt early on.

CM: Manuel Ugarte - 7/10 - Had control of the middle of the park despite being up against the talented midfield trio that the US had to offer.

CM: Federico Valverde - 6/10 - It wasn't the most inspiring performance from the Real Madrid player but it was enough to get the job done and that's all that matters for Uruguay.

CM: Nicolas de la Cruz - 6/10 - A rather dull showing from the Flamengo midfielder who found himself in a few favorable positions but didn't make the most of them.

RW: Facundo Pellistri - 7/10 - The Manchester United youngster gave Antonee Robinson a headache on the right-wing with his constant pressing and playmaking abilities.

ST: Darwin Nunez - 6/10 - A bit all over the place at first but improved as the game wore on with better decision making.

LW: Maxi Araujo - 6/10 - He was unfortunate to be forced off early on after a vicious clash of heads with Tim Ream.

Substitutes

SUB: Cristian Olivera (27' for M. Araujo) - 7/10 - Provided a spark after his unexpected introduction and sent in a few dangerous crosses.

SUB: Jose Gimenez (72' for Vina) - 6/10 - Helped see out the result at the back for his country.

SUB: Rodrigo Bentancur (79' for de la Cruz) - N/A

SUB: Luis Suarez (89' for Nunez) - N/A

SUB: Sebastian Caceres (89' for Ugarte) - N/A

Manager

Diego Reyes (in place of Marcelo Bielsa) - 8/10 - Did as good as you can expect for someone filling in for the mastermind that is Bielsa. Uruguay knew that the USA were going to give them a tough, physical battle for all 90 minutes given the situation at hand -- and the 15-time Copa America winners knew exactly how to handle it to top Group C.