Season › 2015-16 › News Funes Mori plays as Argentina rout Panama , 11 June, 13comments | Jump to most recent MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images Ramiro Funes Mori was at the heart of his country's defence again in their second Copa America group match last night as the Albiceleste thrashed 10-man Panama 5-0. The Everton defender started for the second game running as Tata Martino fielded the same eleven that beat Chile in their opener and Argentina got off to the perfect start when Nicolas Otamendi headed home after just seven minutes. Panama fought tenaciously without ever finding the right final ball but their over-exuberance was punished when Anibal Godoy was sent off for a second bookable offence after just half an hour. Argentina toiled against the 10 men for long periods and the Panamanians remained in the game until Lionel Messi, fit again after a back injury, stepped off the bench and blew the match open with a quick-fire hat-trick. Manchester City's Sergio Aguero capped the scoring with a late header that puts the South Americans into the quarter finals and in pole position to top their group with just winless Bolivia still to play. Reader Comments (13) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Anthony Dwyer 1 Posted 11/06/2016 at 10:23:09 Mori is now playing all the time for Argentina, that can only be good news for the blues.Playing regularly for a national side as good as Argentina proves your an accomplished player, developing a good partnership with Stones could catapult us into the top few spots.One good season with the blues will also see his value sky rocket, not that we should be looking to sell our first team players, but I think most Argentinians are usually looking to move onto Spain.Mori, Stones, Galloway, McCarthy, Besic, Barkley, Del, and Coleman could be a nucleus of a top side for the next few seasons. We also have a great bunch of kids coming through and a load of cash, things never looked so good.Convincing Rom to stay would be nice too, although I cant see it. Trevor Lynes 2 Posted 11/06/2016 at 11:42:31 Looking at last season's defence, we seemed really vulnerable without Jagielka marshalling the defence.Jags is still our best centre back and really steadies and coaches the younger players along.He and Baines are still the first two defenders on the team sheet IMO.Stones still has lots to learn especially consistency and I am still not sure about Funes Mori at premier league level.Playing for Argentina against South American opponents is completely different than the hurly burly of the English Premier league.Perm any one of two to play alongside Jagielka is our best combination unless Stones can step up into defensive midfield. Loko Sanchez 3 Posted 11/06/2016 at 12:09:13 He is in the argentine first eleven for a reason, I'm sure he can handle the Premier League. If you can handle the Uruguayans of South America, the EPL is nothing for Funes Mori. Kieran Kinsella 4 Posted 11/06/2016 at 14:07:09 I've been watching Copa America and I hope the Euros is as entertaining Minik Hansen 5 Posted 11/06/2016 at 14:15:47 I didn't doubt he'd do good with us, keep the good job going, Funes Mori!Kieran - atleast the second half of the opening game of the Euros was a bit entertaining. Derek Thomas 6 Posted 11/06/2016 at 14:21:13 Trevor; Jagielka is a short term option, 2 yrs max. We need a new one...who that is I have no Idea. But unless there's an increase in coaching and learning it won't be Stones or Funes Mori in the back line...all more problems for the new boss. Ernie Baywood 7 Posted 11/06/2016 at 14:55:02 Just watched a replay of the game. Hard to read too much into his performance but he looked comfortable enough. While it's great he's playing for such a big nation, I couldn't tell you whether they're spoilt for choice in that position. Possibly not given they're bolstering that area for their young Olympics side. Matt Ostnes 8 Posted 11/06/2016 at 15:52:38 #7 Argentina lacks leftie centre backs. The replacements of FM played in the Argentina league and one has a pretty bad injury. Also lacks of left-backs, if Rojo becames unavailable, Funes Mori will have to play in that position in this cup.Nevertheless, having a starter of one of the top 3 Nationals Teams in the world could only mean good news for the toffees David Chait 10 Posted 11/06/2016 at 20:47:22 Wasn't convinced by Mori at all, but what do I know. Playing for Argentina he can't be too shabby... Maybe I need to put him down as well to more Martinez disorganization Brian Porter 12 Posted 12/06/2016 at 06:23:12 Ramiro rules, OK? Trevor Lynes 13 Posted 13/06/2016 at 11:43:24 Derek; I think you are being pessimistic about Jags future.He is not old by centre back standards.Most of the best centre backs around are well into their thirties.High pace is required at full back but not so much at centre back.Jags has tremendous experience and has played against every type of striker in the world, from swash buckling types to small clever one's.If Distin could play at the top until his very late thirties then I see jags around until 36 0r 37 at least.I reckon he is better than Cahill and I would select him over Cahill anytime.Jags is always composed, never gives away stupid free kicks near the box and hardly ever gets booked.Centre backs like Shawcross are liabilities by comparison.Everton's best ever centre backs have all been similar to Jagielka and I can go back to T.G.Jones so I have seen them all.Stones may develop into a top class centre back but he is still error prone at the moment.Funes Mori I am not yet convinced by in the Premier League.Perhaps one or two of our best youngsters may develop but the jury is out. Dale Rose 14 Posted 15/06/2016 at 08:59:28 He's been a good player for us so far. I'm very glad we have got him. He's young and will only gain experience. Lets be positive about the future. John Codling 15 Posted 19/06/2016 at 08:22:53 Everyone tells us it takes a season or more for foreign players to adjust to the Premier League. So, considering this, Funes Mori has done a tremendous job. Remember, this boy is still on a learning curve and is still adapting to life in a new league and country. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. About these ads © ToffeeWeb