Lionel Messi’s magic was not sufficient to refill La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires as Argentina confronted a crushing 2-0 defeat by the hands of Uruguay in a World Cup qualifying match on Thursday.
This marks La Albiceleste’s first loss in a aggressive match for the reason that group-stage opener in opposition to Saudi Arabia in final 12 months’s World Cup in Qatar and their first dwelling defeat since 2016’s 1-0 loss to Paraguay throughout World Cup qualifying.
The architect of Uruguay’s triumph was their new coach, Marcelo Bielsa, celebrating his greatest victory since taking cost.
The Uruguayan squad, led by an aggressive Darwin Nunez, pressed Argentina from the outset.
Matias Vina’s steal from Nahuel Molina resulted in a decisive low cross into the penalty field, transformed right into a purpose by Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo within the forty second minute.
Despite Argentina’s makes an attempt to degree the rating, with Messi’s free kick and Otamendi’s close-range shot testing Uruguay’s goalkeeper Sergio Rochet, they may not break by way of.
Nunez sealed Uruguay’s triumph within the 87th minute on a counter, capitalizing on the Uruguayan protection stopping Messi on the fringe of the field.
Coach Lionel Scaloni admitted, “We never felt comfortable in this match. Uruguay is a physical team; they have good teamwork. It is always like that against them.”
Messi echoed the sentiment, acknowledging Uruguay’s prowess.
In the aftermath, Scaloni remained grounded, acknowledging Uruguay’s superior efficiency: “We cannot think that because we are world champions, we will never lose again. We are not unbeatable.”
Messi’s shut good friend Luis Suarez, who not too long ago returned to the Uruguayan nationwide workforce, didn’t play within the match.
Samba boys fall
In one other riveting conflict, Brazil continued their lackluster efficiency within the qualifying rounds with a 2-1 loss to Colombia on the Metropolitano Stadium in Barranquilla.
Striker Luiz Diaz, with two header targets, led Colombia to its first victory over Brazil in World Cup qualifying in 15 matches.
The absence of key gamers Neymar and Casemiro attributable to accidents pressured Brazil’s coach Fernando Diniz to restructure the workforce.
Gabriel Martinelli and Andre had been picked as substitutes, with Martinelli opening the scoring within the fourth minute.
However, Diaz’s spectacular efficiency secured Colombia’s win, leaving Brazil in fifth place within the South American qualifying group.
As the qualifying drama unfolds, Argentina nonetheless lead with 12 factors, adopted intently by Uruguay with 10 factors and Colombia with 9.
Bolivia slam Peru
Bolivia secured their first victory of the round-robin, defeating Peru 2-0, whereas Venezuela and Ecuador, in addition to Chile and Paraguay, performed to 0-0 attracts.
The unpredictable nature of South American soccer retains followers on the sting of their seats, setting the stage for extra thrilling encounters within the quest for World Cup glory.
Henry Vaca discovered the web within the twentieth minute, adopted by Ramiro Vaca within the 86th minute.
The sport in La Paz marked the farewell on dwelling soil for veteran striker Marcelo Martins, Bolivia’s all-time high scorer with 31 targets, including an emotional contact to the victory.
Deadlocks
Venezuela and Ecuador, in addition to Chile and Paraguay, performed to intense 0-0 attracts, highlighting the competitiveness and unpredictability of the South American qualifiers.
With Ecuador, Paraguay, and Chile every holding 5 factors, Bolivia securing three, and Peru lagging with just one, the battle for World Cup qualification stays wide-open.
As the mud settled on these intense clashes, consideration turned to the upcoming fixtures.
Uruguay, using excessive on their current victories, are set to face Bolivia, keen to construct on their newfound momentum.
Meanwhile, Brazil, now in fifth place with seven factors, will host the reigning World Cup champions, Argentina, on the iconic Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
The conflict between these soccer giants guarantees to be a spectacle, with each groups aiming to claim their dominance and safe priceless factors within the qualifying marketing campaign.
The 2026 World Cup within the United States, Mexico and Canada looms on the horizon, with the enlargement to 48 groups intensifying the competitors.
The high six groups from South America are poised for direct entry, including an additional layer of significance to each match.
The seventh-place workforce, to not be missed, nonetheless has the prospect to earn a coveted spot in an intercontinental playoff, retaining the stakes excessive and the thrill palpable.
Source: www.dailysabah.com