November 15, 2024, 10:14 PM
November 15, 2024, 10:14 PM
The Uruguayan team put an end to its bad streak after defeating Colombia 3-2 this Friday in a match framed in the eleventh day of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup that closed with an epic finale.
After seven games without a win between said competition and the Copa América, the team led by Marcelo Bielsa sealed the victory with a goal from Manuel Ugarte after one hundred minutes of play, four after the visitor tied them.
In this way, La Celeste reached 19 points in the standings and snatched second place from its current rival, who was left with the same units but with a worse goal balance.
Higher up, Argentina maintains first position with 22 points despite losing to Paraguay, while Brazil is fourth with 17 points.
The inclusion of Rodrigo Aguirre in the starting eleven was the big surprise for Marcelo Bielsa, taking into account that the América de México attacker had not played any game with the Celeste until now.
Néstor Lorenzo chose to include Juan Fernando Quintero in the starting team and leave James Rodríguez on the bench, who was requested by the Colombian fans at the time when the visitor was down on the scoreboard.
Under a moon that stole everyone’s attention, the Celeste dominated the first half, winning most of the duels in the center of the field, but having difficulty finding attacker Darwin Núñez.
In any case, the Liverpool footballer managed to put the coffee center backs Davinson Sánchez and Jhon Lucumí in trouble on more than one occasion.
At the other end of the field, his teammate Luis Díaz faced central defender José María Giménez in several plays, duels in which both won and lost.
At 25 minutes, Maximiliano Araújo had one of the clearest chances of the night and goalkeeper Camilo Vargas drowned out his scream with a spectacular save.
And when Uruguay got closer, the one that hit was Colombia with a genius from Quintero. Owner of a punch that few footballers have, the Racing midfielder surprised Sergio Rochet with a direct free kick outside the barrier that became the first goal of the night.
Richard Ríos had Colombia’s second and the Uruguayan goalkeeper prevented him with a good response, while Núñez was able to equalize it with a free kick that Vargas flew away.
In this way, the first half ended with a victory for the visitors, who in the last Copa América were responsible for eliminating Uruguay after beating them in the semifinals.
In the second half, Uruguay came out determined to reverse the situation and did so quickly.
At 57 minutes and after a cross from Marcelo Saracchi, Sánchez deflected the ball towards his goal and La Celeste tied the game. In this way, he put an end to a streak of four games without scoring in the playoffs.
Three minutes later, Aguirre sealed the dream debut with a great goal that turned the score around after a good maneuver inside the area and a powerful cross shot.
After the goal, dangerous plays were scarce and everything indicated that the score was going to close with a 2-1 victory for La Celeste. However, there was room for an incredible ending.
When added time was played, Colombia tied with a goal from Carlos Gómez that left the Uruguayan fans who came to the Centenario speechless.
And when equality was a fact, Uruguay pulled off an epic effort and won 3-2 with a goal from Manuel Ugarte after one hundred minutes of a match that the locals will not forget.
3. Uruguay: Sergio Rochet; Nahitan Nández, José María Giménez, Mathías Olivera, Marcelo Saracchi (m.78, Guillermo Varela); Federico Valverde, Rodrigo Bentancur; Facundo Pellistri, Rodrigo Aguirre (d.67, Manuel Ugarte), Maximiliano Araújo and Darwin Núñez.
Coach: Marcelo Bielsa.
2. Colombia: Camilo Vargas; Daniel Muñoz, Davinson Sanchez, Jhon Lucumí, Johan Mojica (m.92, Yerry Mina); Richard Ríos, Juan Camilo Portilla; Jhon Arias (m.81, Carlos Gómez), Juan Fernando Quintero (m.71, James Rodríguez), Luis Díaz and Jhon Jader Durán (m.71, Rafael Santos Borré).
Coach: Néstor Lorenzo.
