In-form Nunez leads attack in Copa America Team of the Round
After the second round of Copa America fixtures, we take a look at the best XI. Stars from Venezuela, Colombia, Uruguay, Ecuador and Argentina all make the cut.
Rafael Romo (Venezuela) - 8.78
Rafael Romo put in a player of the match showing as Venezuela claimed a 1-0 win over Mexico. Romo made five saves in the narrow victory, including a second half penalty stop to deny Orbelin Pineda, and two successful high claims to land a WhoScored rating of 8.78.
Jon Aramburu (Venezuela) - 8.56
Remaining with Venezuela's success, Jon Aramburu occupies the right-back spot in the team of the round having earned a WhoScored rating of 8.56. The 21-year-old held firm against Mexico as he made nine tackles, four clearances and two interceptions in a clean-sheet attaining performance.
Davinson Sanchez (Colombia) - 8.25
The first of two Colombia players in the side, Davinson Sanchez scored his nation's second in their 3-0 win over Costa Rica, netting with one of four efforts on goal. Sanchez also won all six aerial duels he contested in a dominant display from the Galatasaray man.
Ronald Araujo (Uruguay) - 8.05
Partnering Sanchez at the heart of the defence is the first of four Uruguay players after their resounding 5-0 win over Bolivia. Ronald Araujo was key in getting things started for Marcelo Bielsa's side, providing the assist for Facundo Pellistri's eighth minute opener, while the 25-year-old also won six aerial duels to return a WhoScored rating of 8.05.
Piero Hincapie (Ecuador) - 8.38
Ecuador bounced from their opening group stage defeat to Venezuela as they beat Jamaica 3-1 with Piero Hincapie key. The 22-year-old scored Ecuador's opening goal with his only shot, while returns of six tackles, four aerial wins and two interceptions helped Hincapie to a WhoScored rating of 8.38.
James Rodriguez (Colombia) - 8.39
Back to Colombia's win over Costa Rica, and James Rodriguez provided his third assist of the 2024 Copa America for Jhon Cordoba's second half strike, that coming from one of five key passes. Colombia's captain also found a teammate with 94.9% of his 39 attempted passes in a solid showing.
Federico Valverde (Uruguay) - 9.09
Federico Valverde opened his Copa America account in the resounding win over Bolivia, netting with one of three shots. In addition, Valverde also made two key passes, completed two dribbles and made two interceptions in a fine all-round midfield display.
Moises Caicedo (Ecuador) - 8.49
The star player from Ecuador's 3-1 win over Jamaica, Moises Caicedo provided the assist for Piero Hincapie's opening goal, that coming from one of four key passes. The 22-year-old battled hard in midfield, too, as he made three tackles and two interceptions on his way to a WhoScored rating of 8.49.
Maximiliano Araujo (Uruguay) - 9.72
With a WhoScored rating of 9.72, Uruguay's Maximiliano Araujo is the player of the round. Araujo was directly involved in two of La Celeste's five goals against Bolivia, providing the assist for Darwin Nunez's 21st minute strike from one of two key passes before getting on the scoresheet in the second half from one of three shots. The 24-year-old also completed four dribbles and made four tackles in a fine showing.
Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 8.49
Argentina edged past Chile earlier in the week with Lionel Messi again the star player. Messi returned a WhoScored rating of 8.49 as he completed seven dribbles and created five goalscoring chances as the 37-year-old claimed back-to-back player of the match awards.
Partnering Messi in the team of the round for the second matchday running, Darwin Nunez scored for the seventh game running as Uruguay smashed Bolivia. Nunez struck with one of seven shots, hitting the woodwork with another, while the 25-year-old also completed six dribbles and made three tackles to land a WhoScored rating of 9.12.
