Uruguay’s Copa America squad suffered a heavy loss in the first half of Monday’s group stage clash against the United States as the team’s leading scorer Maximiliano Araujo went down with an apparent head injury.
The Toluca star has been something of a whirling dervish for Marcelo Bielsa’s side down the left flank, contributing two goals and an assist for La Celeste. His exploits against Panama and Bolivia were widely praised, and he was shaping up to be a key part of Bielsa’s tactical set-up as the CONMEBOL giants battle for their 16th Copa America title.
Here are the latest updates on Araujo’s injury, as well as his tournament status moving forward.
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Maximiliano Araujo’s injury update
Araujo collapsed to the turf midway through the first half after colliding with teammate Ronald Araujo and U.S. defender Tim Ream on a corner kick.
The 24-year-old’s head appeared to hit the ground in a whipping motion as he fell.
The painful whiplash that Maxi Araujo suffered when his head crashed into the ground at Arrowfield after colliding with Ronald Araujo and Tim Ream #UnitedStatesURU #America Cup
? @sluggahjells image.twitter.com/IrOwa2toRr
— The Complete Delivery (@TWDTV1) July 2, 2024
Araujo’s injury immediately raised concerns among his Uruguayan teammates. Several players on his team gestured for medical personnel to come onto the field to help him.
After a lengthy wait, Araujo was wheeled off the field on a stretcher by medics as the crowd cheered in support. He was replaced in the 27th minute by LAFC winger Cristian Olivera, who took Araujo’s place on the left side of the wing.
Araujo has proven to be a valuable asset for club and country, recording three goals and three assists in 24 starts for Liga MX side Toluca in 2023-24.
During this year’s Copa América, Araujo scored twice, placing third in the race for the Golden Boot behind Argentina’s Lautaro Martínez (four goals in three games) and fellow Uruguayan Matías Viña (two goals, one assist in fewer minutes than Araujo).
Uruguay provided an update on Araujo at half-time, confirming his head injury but also saying that he was fine.
