Facundo Pellistri became the second Manchester United star to make his bow in the 2024 Copa America.
Manchester United have three players at the tournament. One, Lisandro Martinez, featured as a starter in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Canada. Alejandro Garnacho was an unused substitute.
Facundo Pellistri was in Uruguay’s starting line-up for their opening match of the tournament, against Panama.
Uruguay won the game 3-1 through goals from Maximiliano Araujo, Darwin Nunez, and Matias Vina.
How Facundo Pellistri fared
Facundo Pellistri started on the right wing for Uruguay and he played all 90 minutes for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
He saw little of the ball, completed 14 of 19 passes attempted, yet still managed to create two goalscoring chances.
Pellistri made 35 touches in total, with two accurate crosses from three attempts, and worked hard off the ball for his team.
He won two tackles, made two interceptions, and won six of 10 duels he contested, also winning two free-kicks.
It was an industrious display from the 22-year-old Manchester United winger, which will likely be enough to keep his spot for Uruguay’s next game on Friday against Bolivia.
Reaction to Pellistri performance
Uruguayan newspaper El Observador graded Pellistri’s performance as a 7/10, noting that he was especially impactful in the first 45 minutes.
The outlet wrote: “In the first half he showed the repertoire that he usually develops running up front and picking up crosses, or moving the ball diagonally towards the area. In the second period he lowered his production”.
Montevideo Futbol did not provide a player rating, but made clear that Pellistri was among the standout performers.
“He was the great figure in Uruguay’s debut. Both in the first half and in the second, he was encouraged to constantly face the right sector, to which the Uruguayan team focused its attacks on more occasions.
“He always surpassed the full-back Davis. He became unbalanced with his speed. Additionally, on a defensive level, he helped with important splits and recoveries. The most outstanding.”
Uruguay have been in strong form in 2024, beating Brazil and Argentina in World Cup qualifying games.
They are in with a real chance of winning the Copa America, and Pellistri has helped them get off to a flying start.