London: Luis Suarez was once again forced to sit out on the bench as 15-time champion Uruguay have been knocked out of the Copa America Centenario in the group stages with a shocking 1-0 loss to Venezuela in Philadelphia on Thursday.
Salomon Rondon scored the decisive goal of the match in the 36th minute after Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera could only manage to tip the ball onto the bar following midfielder Alejandro Guerra’s lob shot from more than 30 yards. Rondon then wasted no time to dispatch it clinically to the net.
Suarez, who also missed the opening game due to injury, reacted furiously on the bench after being told that he would not play a part in the game. The Barcelona striker was seen warming up on the sidelines in the second-half although he was not listed among the available substitutes before the game.
With the win, Venezuela have advanced to the quarterfinals of the South America’s continental championship and will next face Mexico on Monday to see who advances as group winners.
This was also Venezuela’s first win in nine Copa America meetings with Uruguay. (ANI)