Uruguay Stun Lionel Messi's Argentina With 2-0 Upset In World Cup Qualifying
It was Lionel Messi and Argentina's first defeat of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, and their first loss since they were stunned 2-1 by Saudi Arabia at the 2022 finals in Qatar.
Uruguay ended Argentina’s 14-match unbeaten streak with a 2-0 victory over the world champions in World Cup qualifiers on Thursday as Luis Diaz scored twice to fire Colombia to an emotional 2-1 win over Brazil.
Defender Ronald Araujo fired Uruguay ahead on 41 minutes before Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez made the game safe with an 87th-minute goal on the counterattack to settle a hard-fought clash at the Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires.
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It was Lionel Messi and Argentina’s first defeat of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, and their first loss since they were stunned 2-1 by Saudi Arabia at the 2022 finals in Qatar.
¡́ !@Argentina 0-2 @Uruguay⚽ Ronald Araújo⚽️ Darwin Núñez
Eliminatorias Copa Mundial de la FIFA 26™
https://t.co/l3PMoeWV5O#ElEquipoQueNosUne pic.twitter.com/SEqc2w0a9u
— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) November 17, 2023
Follow all the action from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 including the World Cup schedule, World Cup 2023 results, and ICC Cricket World Cup points table. Players are vying to top the World Cup 2023 Most Runs and World Cup 2023 Most Wickets charts.
“We never felt comfortable," Messi said after the defeat.
“They’re a physical team that works well and on the counterattack they were very dangerous," added Messi, praising the work of Uruguay’s revered Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa.
“You can see his hand in the team. In all the teams or clubs he’s been involved in, including Argentina, you can see his hand," said Messi.
¡Garra charrúa! El gol que abrió el camino de una victoria histórica de @Uruguay, como visitante, ante @Argentina, por la Fecha 5 de las #EliminatoriasSudamericanas. #CreeEnGrande pic.twitter.com/3zgVukuJEt— CONMEBOL.com (@CONMEBOL) November 17, 2023
READ: Luis Diaz Scores Brace As Colombia Clinch 2-1 Comeback Win Over Brazil In World Cup Qualifying
The Argentina captain meanwhile challenged his team-mates to bounce back in next week’s qualifying battle with Brazil.
“Today it was our turn to lose. It’s a test. We have to get back up and play a great game in Brazil."
Argentina, who had won all four of their opening qualifiers, remain on top of the standings with 12 points from five matches. Uruguay’s win leaves them in second place on 10 points.
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