Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts on the finish of a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match towards Uruguay at La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, November 16, 2023. (AP Picture/Gustavo Garello)
Lionel Messi couldn’t assist Argentina lengthen its unbeaten run since its World Cup title.
Uruguay defeated Argentina 2-0 at La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires on Thursday in a World Cup qualifier, their greatest win but underneath new coach Marcelo Bielsa.
Argentina had not misplaced a aggressive match since its group stage opener towards Saudi Arabia finally yr’s World Cup in Qatar. It had not misplaced at house since shedding 1-0 to Paraguay in 2016, together with throughout World Cup qualifying.
Brazil continued its poor season in qualifying with a 2–1 defeat to Colombia, its second consecutive defeat within the round-robin competitors. Striker Luiz Diaz scored twice on headers to steer a powerful turnaround on the Metropolitano Stadium in Barranquilla, as his father celebrated within the stands simply days after being launched by kidnappers. It was Colombia’s first victory over Brazil in World Cup qualifying in 15 matches.
Argentina nonetheless leads the 10-team South American qualifying group with 12 factors from 5 matches. Uruguay is second with 10 factors. Colombia has 9 and Venezuela eight. Brazil, in fifth place with seven factors, will host the World Cup champions on the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Ecuador, Paraguay and Chile every have 5 factors. Bolivia has three and Peru one.
The 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada will characteristic 48 groups, that means the highest six groups from South America will compete instantly. The seventh-place crew can earn a spot in an intercontinental play-off.
URUGUAY 2, ARGENTINA 0
Ronald Araujo of Uruguay, left, celebrates the opening objective towards Argentina with teammates throughout a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, November 16, 2023. (AP Picture/Gustavo Garello)
Uruguay was aggressive towards the World Cup champions from the beginning. Darwin Núnez nearly opened the scoring with a crossed shot within the tenth minute after a mistake by defender Nicolás Otamendi.
For the primary time since Argentina’s World Cup title, coach Lionel Scaloni appeared nervous as his midfielders struggled to dam Uruguay’s wingers. His gamers didn’t heed the decision and their penalty got here within the forty second minute, when Matias Viña simply stole the ball from Nahuel Molina and gently despatched a low cross into the penalty space. Ronald Araújo hit the ball into the again of the web.
Argentina got here near an equalizer after Messi’s free kick and Otamendi’s close-range shot, forcing goalkeeper Sergio Rochet to make an necessary save in the direction of the tip of the primary half.
After the break, Uruguay saved the stress on Argentina, who once more relied on Messi and substitute Angel di Maria to seek out the perfect possibilities. Messi hit the crossbar with a free kick within the 57th minute.
Núnez scored on a counter within the 87th minute after the Uruguayan protection stopped Messi on the fringe of his penalty space.
“We by no means felt comfy on this match,” Messi mentioned. “Uruguay is a bodily crew, they’ve good teamwork. It is all the time like that with them.”
Scaloni mentioned Uruguay performed higher.
“We won’t suppose that as a result of we’re world champions we’ll by no means lose once more,” Scaloni mentioned. “We aren’t unbeatable, I’ve mentioned it earlier than and I’ll proceed to say it.”
Messi’s shut buddy Luis Suárez, who simply returned to the Uruguayan nationwide crew, didn’t play.
Within the earlier spherical of World Cup qualifying, Uruguay defeated Brazil by the identical rating in Montevideo. The following match will probably be towards Bolivia.
COLOMBIA 2, BRAZIL 1
Colombian Luis Diaz celebrates his aspect’s opening objective towards Brazil throughout a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match on the Roberto Melendez Stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, Thursday, November 16, 2023. (AP Picture/Ivan Valencia)
With Neymar and Casemiro out injured, Brazil coach Fernando Diniz needed to make some main restructuring forward of what he referred to as “a bodily encounter” at Colombia. Gabriel Martinelli and midfielder André had been chosen as substitutes.
Martinelli opened the scoring within the fourth minute after a fast go alternate with Vinicius Júnior. Brazil’s momentum got here to a halt after the Actual Madrid winger left within the twenty fifth minute with a left thigh harm.
Colombia’s play up entrance was nearly completely depending on Diaz. The striker nearly scored after dribbling previous a number of Brazilians within the thirtieth minute and was stopped by goalkeeper Alisson on two extra harmful pictures within the second half.
Diaz equalized within the seventy fifth minute with a straightforward header; he did not even have to leap. 4 minutes later he scored a second objective. His father, Luis Manuel Diaz, fell on high of a number of individuals subsequent to him within the stands as his son celebrated.
“He’s a buddy, he has suffered lots lately. This goes past soccer,” Alisson mentioned. “However we depart right here dissatisfied.”
OTHER COMPETITIONS
Bolivia gained the primary match of this round-robin, beating Peru 2-0 on Thursday. Henry Vaca scored within the twentieth minute and Ramiro Vaca within the 86th. The match in La Paz marked the farewell on house soil of skilled striker Marcelo Martins. The 36-year-old is Bolivia’s all-time high scorer with 31 targets.
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Venezuela and Ecuador drew 0-0 on Thursday, as did Chile and Paraguay.
