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    Copa America 2019: Latest Group Results, Tables and Schedule After Thursday

    Rob Goldberg@TheRobGoldbergFeatured ColumnistJune 21, 2019

    Uruguay's Luis Suarez, right, runs with the ball during a Copa America Group C soccer match against Japan at the Arena Gremio in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Thursday, June 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
    Silvia Izquierdo/Associated Press

    The 2019 Copa America continued Thursday with only two teams in action in Brazil.

    Uruguay and Japan battled on Day 7 of this competition after coming off very different performances in their first matches. Uruguay had a 4-0 win while Japan suffered a 4-0 loss, creating a contrasting sense of urgency.

    Both teams had their moments in the head-to-head battle, but it ended in an exciting 2-2 draw.

           

    Thursday's Result

    Uruguay 2, Japan 2

          

    Friday Schedule

    Ecuador vs. Chile, 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+

    Full schedule available at the tournament's official site

           

    Thursday's Recap

    Uruguay 2, Japan 2 

    After a disappointing first game, Japan came out ready to go Thursday.

    Copa America 2019: Latest Group Results, Tables and Schedule After Thursday
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    The squad used its speed on the pitch to get into scoring position on each of its first two goals:

    Telemundo Deportes @TelemundoSports

    #CA2019Telemundo ¡Sorpresa en Arena do Grêmio! Koji Miyoshi en una gran definición abre el marcador para Japón Uruguay 0 - 1 Japón https://t.co/VHeAEXC4XI

    Telemundo Deportes @TelemundoSports

    #CA2019Telemundo ¡Partidazo en Arena do Grêmio! doblete del japonés Koji Miyoshi Uruguay 1 - 2 Japón https://t.co/YpETSXxohu

    Koji Miyoshi came through both times, giving Japan the lead in the 25th and 59th minute.

    Still, it was difficult to keep Uruguay down for too long. Jose Gimenez scored the equalizer off a perfect corner kick from Nicolas Lodeiro:

    Telemundo Deportes @TelemundoSports

    #CA2019Telemundo ¡Remate de cabeza de lujo! lo hizo @JoseMaGimenez13 y @Uruguay lo empata de nuevo Uruguay 2-2 Japón https://t.co/Rhz60RIPMW

    There were several close chances as the match progressed—Uruguay finished with 29 shots, including 10 on net—but neither side was able to get the last goal across to earn the win.

    Uruguay was fortunate to even get onto the scoresheet early in the match. Down 1-0, Edinson Cavani drew a foul in the box that eventually led to a Luis Suarez penalty to even the match.

    However, there was some dispute about whether the penalty was earned:

    Tancredi Palmeri @tancredipalmeri

    Never was penalty for Uruguay. Never. Cavani misses the ball, therefore hit the sole foot of defender. Poor Japan, they didn’t deserve #CopaAmerica

    It all counted the same, though, and the South Americans were able to take advantage and earn at least a draw. With an upcoming match against Chile, the squad can still control its destiny for winning the group. 

    Japan will take on Ecuador in a matchup that could decide who advances to the knockout stage.

         

    Updated Tables

    Group A

    Brazil: 4 pts, +3 GD

    Peru: 4 pts, +2 GD

    Venezuela: 2 pts, 0 GD

    Bolivia: 0 pts, -5 GD 

                    

    Group B

    Colombia: 6 pts, +3 GD

    Paraguay: 2 pts, 0 GD

    Qatar: 1 pt, -1 GD

    Argentina: 1 pt, -2 GD

         

    Group C

    Uruguay: 4 pts, +4 GD

    Chile: 3 pts, +4 GD

    Japan: 1 pt, -4 GD

    Ecuador: 0 pts, -4 GD