For the first time since that famous defeat to Saudi Arabia in the World Cup, Lionel Messi and Argentina have lost.
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It’s been quite some time since Argentina felt this feeling. Just six days shy of one whole year, in fact. For the first time since their World Cup opener in Qatar, Lionel Messi and Argentina have tasted defeat.
It’ll be a frustrating defeat for Argentina, who conceded the first goal from a bad giveaway. The second, Nunez’s finish, came late with the team pushing, ending any hopes of a comeback.
In the grand scheme, this loss will likely mean little. Both Argentina and Uruguay are almost guaranteed to make it out of World Cup qualifying and onto the 2026 tournament. However, for the first time in a long while, Argentina have been shown to be beatable, which will leave plenty of other teams with a bit more hope than before with the Copa America right around the corner.
So long shutout streak. The opening goal was the first Martinez has allowed for Argentina since the World Cup final, and it may be one he wants back, even if the defence did let him down.
Nicolas Tagliafico (6/10):
Steady as always from the left-back spot. You can nitpick that he could have done more to help on the first goal, but Argentina were put into panic mode when Molina lost the ball.
Nicolas Otamendi (6/10):
Was solid enough, but did show some signs of his age in this one as he looked a bit off the pace at times.
Cristian Romero (7/10):
A very good performance from the Spurs defender, who did a bit of everything on the day. Moved the ball well, one it back, had a chance to score… overall, one of few that had a good day.
A rough giveaway on the goal sequence, and that’s something you just can’t do at this level.
The best-performing midfielder, although that isn’t saying much. There’s a reason he was the only one of the three to go a full 90, after all.
Alexis Mac Allister (6/10):
Wasn’t great during his 45-minute run out. On a yellow card, he was sacrificed at halftime to bring on more firepower in Lautaro Martinez.
A rather anonymous showing from Messi’s bodyguard, aside from a tackle that seemingly left Maxi Araujo with a serious injury.
Quiet once again. Couldn’t create much off the dribble and passing was all over the place. Not the best showing for a player that has gotten several chances to seize this role.
Julian Alvarez (6/10):
Didn’t see nearly enough of the ball to make an impact. Only had one shot, which won’t feel like anywhere close to enough for a striker of his level.
Rattled the bar once and created several more chances that Argentina failed to convert. A good performance, for sure, but not the heroic one that Argentina needed.
Brought in to add a bit more juice to the attack. Had one shot on target, but little else.
Angel Di Maria (6/10):
Came on early in the second half and had a few dangerous crosses that couldn’t quite lead to anything.
Moved the ball well and added a bit to midfield after replacing De Paul.
Giovani Lo Celso (N/A):
Came on a bit too late to change the game.
You can’t criticize him too much considering all Argentina have achieved, can you? Feels like the substitute could have been better, but they were bound to lose some time, especially against a team as tough as Uruguay.