Lionel Messi takes a tumble in the course of the match. (Credit: AFP)
It was Lionel Messi and Argentina’s first defeat of the 2026 World Cup qualifying marketing campaign, and their first loss since they have been surprised 2-1 by Saudi Arabia on 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 fireside Colombia to an emotional 2-1 win over Brazil.
Defender Ronald Araujo fired Uruguay forward on 41 minutes earlier than Liverpool ahead Darwin Nunez made the sport protected with an 87th-minute aim on the counterattack to settle a tough-fought conflict on the Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires.
It was Lionel Messi and Argentina’s first defeat of the 2026 World Cup qualifying marketing campaign, and their first loss since they have been surprised 2-1 by Saudi Arabia on the 2022 finals in Qatar.
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“We never felt comfortable,” Messi mentioned 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,” mentioned Messi.
READ: Luis Diaz Scores Brace As Colombia Clinch 2-1 Comeback Win Over Brazil In World Cup Qualifying
The Argentina captain in the meantime challenged his group-mates to bounce again in subsequent 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 gained all 4 of their opening qualifiers, stay on prime of the standings with 12 factors from 5 matches. Uruguay’s win leaves them in second place on 10 factors.
