ESPN News Service2 min read
Lionel Messi failed to help Argentina extend their unbeaten run since winning the World Cup and after the game he praised compatriot and former national team coach Marcelo Bielsa for Uruguay. implemented his style.
Uruguay beat Argentina 2-0 at the Candy Box Stadium in Buenos Aires on Thursday, following their 2-1 win over Brazil in October under new coach Bielsa. ’s second major victory. The result handed Argentina their first official defeat since last year’s World Cup group-stage opener against Saudi Arabia in Qatar.
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“You could see Bielsa’s hands in the way Uruguay played,” Messi said after the game. “His style is very well known in any national team or club, including Argentina. And he has a generation of good players (in Uruguay).”
Among the 10 teams in the South American qualifiers, Argentina still leads with 12 points from five games, but Uruguay is second with 10 points and they showed aggression against the World Cup champions from the beginning.
“They are an intense team and it was difficult for us to play our game,” Messi said. “They have physical, fast players in the midfield. We never felt comfortable and couldn’t find a way to keep the ball for long periods of time.”
“So the game is very fast and we like that style and it’s not the best for us.”
Nahuel Molina beat the defender at the end and flicked a low pass into the penalty area, where Ronald Araújo scored just before half-time. The net opened the scoring for Uruguay, and Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez doubled the lead late in the second half. .
Uruguay’s historic win marked their first away win over Argentina in a World Cup qualifying match and ended Scaloni’s side’s 25-match unbeaten run in qualifying.
“We never felt comfortable in this game,” Messi said. “Uruguay are a physical team and they have good teamwork. It’s always like that against them.”
Messi’s good friend Luis Suarez has just returned to the Uruguay national team and did not participate in the game.
Argentina face Brazil again on Tuesday, with Brazil suffering its second consecutive loss 2-1 to Colombia, while Uruguay hosts Bolivia on the same day.
This report used information from The Associated Press.