The hosts started and ended the first half with goals on their way to three points in their Group C opener. Do your own Copa America 2024 analysis with the data from our United States vs Bolivia stats page and match facts.
Christian Pulisic stole the show with an eye-catching strike and another assist as the United States opened their Copa America campaign with a 2-0 triumph over Bolivia on Sunday.
Gregg Berhalter’s side never appeared troubled in a routine victory at AT&T Stadium in Texas, thanks in part to the solo endeavours of captain Pulisic in their Group C opener.
The Milan forward needed just three minutes to curl in a sublime opener before teeing up Folarin Balogun – who had another strike ruled out after the interval – just moments before the break in a one-sided first half.
Bolivia – who managed one touch in the American penalty area – rarely seemed likely to forge a comeback as the USA managed a winning start to a Copa campaign for the first time since the 1995 edition when they defeated Chile 2-1 in Uruguay.
Antônio Carlos Zago’s side did not heed an early warning when goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra was forced to rush out and clear in front of Balogun.
Bolivia were caught napping just minutes later as Timothy Weah worked a short corner with Pulisic, who coasted inside before curling into the top-right corner from an acute angle on the left-hand side of the area.
Weah – son of legendary forward George – was denied from point-blank range as the USA almost doubled their lead immediately.
Yet Berhalter’s host nation would soon add to their advantage in Arlington.
Pulisic was afforded the freedom of midfield yet again, dropping into space before offloading for Balogun to cannon a left-footed drive into the bottom-right corner.
That smart 44th-minute finish marked Balogun’s first-ever goal at this tournament, and the Monaco striker found the back of the net for a second time after the interval, only for his celebrations to be cut short.
His routine tap-in from inside the six-yard area was ruled out for offside as Weah had rushed forward to capitalise on Weston McKennie’s pass before sliding across for his attacking partner.
Viscarra was equal to Pulisic’s effort before the hour as the forward attempt to recreate his early heroics, while substitute Ricardo Pepi prodded wide from Antonee Robinson’s pinpoint left-wing delivery.
Pepi was denied by fine Viscarra reflexes late on as the USA coasted to an opening victory before their next meeting with Panama on Thursday, a day before Bolivia face Uruguay.
Pulisic Stars in Rare Copa Win Over CONMEBOL Side
Pulisic was tipped by many as the USA player to keep an eye on at the Copa America, and the Milan man delivered in emphatic fashion in this opener.
Fresh off the back of scoring 15 goals across all competitions for the Serie A giants, Pulisic’s opening strike had an expected goals (xG) tally of just 0.037 – yet that was no problem for the USA captain.
His headline-worthy effort halted a woeful run for the USA against CONMEBOL sides at this tournament as well given Berhalter’s side had previously lost eight of 10 such games.
Victory also marked the USA’s first Copa triumph over Bolivia in just their second attempt, avenging for a 1-0 defeat way back in 1995 when Marco Etcheverry scored the winner.
Bolivia Wait Goes On
Bolivia were seeking a win against a CONCACAF opponent in Copa action for the first time since the 1997 edition.
They defeated Mexico 3-1 in the semi-finals of the tournament they hosted 27 years ago, though a wait for another such victory must continue after a drab showing in Texas.
Carlos Zago won this competition as a player with Brazil in 1999 but his side have a long way to go if they are to even escape their group in the USA.
Bolivia didn’t attempt a shot from within the United States’ box and have now lost their last four international outings by a concerning margin of 9-1, having suffered defeats against Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia and the USA.
Our Opta match centre delivers you all the USA vs Bolivia stats from their Copa America Group C clash at AT&T Stadium.
The match centre below includes team and player stats, expected goals data, passing networks, an Opta chalkboard and more. It gives you everything you need to do your own post-match analysis.
Underneath the match centre you can find the official Opta stats on the game as well.
USA vs Bolivia: Post-Match Facts
- The Copa América hosts have won their opening match in 11 of the last 18 editions, drawing six and losing just once (USA vs. Colombia in 2016).
- Christian Pulisic’s goal at 2 minutes and 24 seconds is the fastest goal for the United States in Copa América history, as well as the second fastest by a non-South American team in the competition.
- The United States won their opening match in the Copa América for the second time in their five participations in the competition (L3). This was the first time they did not concede any goals in their tournament opener, as their other victory was a 2-1 win against Chile in 1995.
- Christian Pulisic has reached 30 goals for the United States national team across all competitions, tying Brian McBride as the fifth-highest scorer in team history. Of those 30 goals, 22 have been scored in competitive matches.
- The United States has now gone four matches against Bolivia without conceding a goal (W4), including three friendlies and this afternoon’s match in the Copa América. The last time the U.S. conceded a goal to Bolivia was in 1996 (2-0 loss).
- Guillermo Viscarra’s six saves are the most by a Bolivian goalkeeper against a CONCACAF team in the CONMEBOL Copa América since at least the 2011 edition.
- Christian Pulisic is the first player from the United States to both score and assist in the same match in the Copa América since Clint Dempsey, who did so twice in 2016: against Ecuador (1 goal, 1 assist) and against Costa Rica (1 goal, 2 assists).
- The Copa América hosts have recorded wins with clean sheets in their opening match of each of the last three tournaments: Brazil against Bolivia in 2019 (3-0), Brazil against Venezuela in 2021 (3-0), and the United States this afternoon against Bolivia (2-0).
- This is the first time that the United States went into half-time with a two-goal lead against a CONMEBOL opponent in a Copa América match since they led Argentina 2-0 at the half in 1995.
Enjoy this? Subscribe to our football newsletter to receive exclusive weekly content. You should also follow our social accounts over on X, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.