Action from the international friendly between host Uruguay and Guatemala (white jersey) on June 6, 2015, in Montevideo. (Photo courtesy of the Asociación Uruguaya de Fútbol)
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – Edinson Cavani struck for a brace to help Uruguay post a 5-1 win over visiting Guatemala in an international friendly on Saturday night at the Estadio Centenario.
Although the Central American runner-up remained winless in 2015 with a 0W-1D-3L record, it did score for the first time in five outings.
Bordeaux forward Diego Rolan gave the host a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute, poking in from 12-yards out after the Guatemalan defense had difficulty with Alvaro Pereira’s left-sided cross.
In the 19th minute, Cavani scored his first goal on a tap-in after Rolan hit the post following a Guatemalan defensive mistake. The Paris Saint-Germain forward netted his second from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute after a hand ball in the box.
Cruzeiro midfielder Girogian De Arrascaeta (55’) and Hull City forward Abel Hernandez (56’) increased the Uruguayans’ lead to 5-0 early in the second half, before Comunicaciones defender Wilson Lalin headed in Guatemala’s lone goal in the 79th minute off a corner kick.
Uruguay opens defense of its Copa America title against Jamaica on June 13 in Antofagasta, Chile, while Guatemala meets Bermuda in a two-legged 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, second round series beginning June 12 in Guatemala City.
