Uruguay's has Loco(motive) that's ready to roll

The country that lives for football and a manager who lives football - what a combination! Tonight (4 AM), Uruguay sets off on a journey towards another Copa América trophy. They are currently tied with Argentina regarding the number of titles, with 15 each. And how paradoxical and faithful would it seem if 20 days from now, Marcelo Bielsa rose from the bucket he usually sits on, raised his hands triumphantly and realised he made La Celeste the rulers of South America, something they had not been since 2011.

Yes, it's been 13 long years: 13 years of being in the shadow of another sky-blue team (Argentina), a yellow one (Brazil), and even a red one (Chile). However, for Uruguay to win a trophy, a curse has to be broken. Not just any curse, but the infamous penalty-shoot-out curse. In 2019, that white spot - which probably seems like the blackest to every citizen of the country from the southeast of the continent - favoured Peru and two years later, in another goalless draw and another nightmare, sent Colombia to the semi-finals.

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But what do an Argentinian coach and a country that's one of Albiceleste's biggest rivals have in common? Except that they are both loco about football. There must be something else, right? Well, it's the curse. Bielsa remembers the penalties as well. Uruguay may have 16 Copa América trophies, but its manager has none. He had one chance, though, 20 years ago. Four days after his 49th birthday, Bielsa led his homeland in a grand final against Brazil. When César Delgado scored three minutes before the end, everyone thought it was over. Everyone except one man - Adriano. El Emperador equalized in the 93rd minute, and then the penalties did their part.

English-powered Copa América

Now, Uruguay faces Panama, which is participating for only the second time after debuting in 2016. Even though this team climbed 38 places in the FIFA ranking over the past four years, La Celeste is still a firm favourite. Their biggest hope is, of course, Liverpool's Darwin Núñez, who is expected to continue his excellent international form given that he scored a hat-trick 17 days ago in a friendly match against Mexico. Barca's Ronald Araújo and UCL winner with Real Madrid, Federico Valverde, will hold the defence and the midfield, while the legendary old-hand duo, Edinson Cavani and Luis Suárez is still there and ready to find the net. The talented Facundo Pellistri, PSG's Manuel Ugarte, Rodrigo Bentancur from Tottenham, and Diego Simeone's warrior from Atletico Madrid, José María Giménez, are there to help. And who knows, perhaps this union of the incompatible, of Uruguay and an Argentinian can indeed produce something good. Maybe a trophy they've been waiting for 33 years combined.

COPA AMERICA - GROUP STAGE

Sunday

Ecuador - Venezuela 1-2 (1-0)

/Sarmiento 40 - Cadiz 64, Bello 74/

Mexico - Jamaica 1-0 (0-0)

/Arteaga 69/

Monday

00.55: (1.20) USA (6.75) Bolivia (14.0)

04.00: (1.30) Uruguay (5.20) Panama (11.0)

Tuesday

00.55: (1.65) Colombia (3.60) Paraguay (6.00)

04.00: (1.15) Brazil (7.75) Costa Rica (19.0)

Wednesday

00.55: (3.25) Peru (3.25) Canada (2.30)

***odds are subject to change***