The confrontations between Uruguay and Argentina never generate monotony. The one won by the Celeste, on the night of Thursday to Friday in Buenos Aires, in qualifying in the South American zone for the 2026 World Cup (2-0), was no exception to the rule. Electric. Boiling.
Obviously disappointed by this failure, the first for the Albiceleste since their world title, Lionel Messi also expressed his annoyance towards the Parisian Manuel Ugarte guilty, in his eyes, of “not respecting the elders”. The eight-time Ballon d’Or thus criticized the PSG midfielder for having mimed an obscene gesture towards Rodrigo De Paul in the first period.
According to facts reported by TYC Sports, Ugarte would have thrown at De Paul, often considered in the selection as the bodyguard of the Pulga, “sucker of Messi”. “It’s normal for these kinds of matches, the qualifiers… Against Uruguay, it’s always like that. I prefer not to say what I think, explained, at the end of the meeting, the former PSG player today at Inter Miami who hit the bar from a free kick. This classic has always been intense, hard, but always with a lot of respect. They have to learn a little. »
The Argentines were previously undefeated with 12 points in 4 days. However, they remain in the lead in qualifying, even if Uruguay are getting closer thanks to their success today (2nd, 10 pts). FC Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo scored the first goal for Marcelo Bielsa’s men shortly before the break (41st), before Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez sealed the victory for his team at the end of the game (87th).
In the next meeting on Tuesday, Uruguay host Bolivia, while a South American clasico in Brazil looms for world champions Argentina. The first six in the AmSud qualifiers will earn their ticket to the 2026 World Cup, while the seventh will go to the repechage.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2024/06/02/3981133-80798368-2560-1440.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1)
