Ronald Araújo in the 41st minute, and Darwin Núñez scored in the 86th minute to lead Uruguay past Messi and Argentina in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match at Estadio La Bombonera in Buenos Aires on Wednesday night.
2026 World Cup qualification South America
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Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
1' Núñez's foul on Messi
10' Núñez’s shot wide out
12' Messi's shot stopped by goalkeeper
19' Clashes broke out between the two teams
35' Yellow Card! Mac Allister booked
41' GOAL! Argentina 0-1 Uruguay (Ronald Araújo)
56' OFF THE POST! Messi nearly scores for Argentina!
68' Yellow Card! Lautaro booked
87' GOAL! Argentina 0-2 Uruguay (Darwin Núñez)
92' Yellow Card! Exequiel Palacios booked
Lionel Messi and Argentina had not relinquished a goal to their opponents in eight matches since their thrilling World Cup victory over France in Qatar last December.
That streak has come to an end.
Argentina suffered its first loss in World Cup qualifying, but retained the lead in the CONMEBOL standings with 12 points.
Uruguay’s win improved them to 10 points, and solely in second place in the standings after entering the match tied with Brazil and Venezuela.
Line-ups
Argentina XI: Messi, Otamendi, E. Martinez, Tagliafico, De Paul, Nahuel Molina, Romero, N. Gonzalez, Mac Allister, Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández
Subs: Di Maria, F. Armani, Paredes, Pezzella, Acuna, Dybala, Walter Benítez, G. Rodriguez, Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Lautaro, Gonzalo Montiel
Uruguay XI: Sergio Rochet, Valverde, M.Olivera, Nicolás de la Cruz, Manuel Ugarte, Ronald Araújo, Vina, Sebastián Cáceres, Darwin Núñez, Maximiliano Araújo, Facundo Pellistri
Subs: Suarez, G. Varela, G. De Arrascaeta, Gimenez, Santiago Mele, Bentancur, Agustín Canobbio, B. Mendez, Franco Israel, Facundo Torres, Federico Viñas, Cristian Olivera