2023-09-09 01:48:33
MONTEVIDEO (AP) — With two goals from Nicolás de la Cruz, one from Federico Valverde and a new personality infused by Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay opened its way in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, achieving a resounding 3-1 victory against a Chile which he controlled at almost every moment.
At home and now led by the Argentine Bielsa, the Celeste demonstrated a new, fresh, dynamic and very well put together game.
In the first minutes the teams measured each other timidly. But soon Uruguay began to create daring, fast and well-planned football. The stolen or recovered balls became the launch pad towards the rival area with an intensity that the Celeste did not usually practice.
Valverde’s expression of confidence was one of the most characteristic signs of the game. He constantly pushed with precision, quick passing, pace and a providential global vision of the game, demonstrating why he is captain.
Although he showed off his teamwork, both Valverde and Manuel Ugarte stood out individually. Ugarte’s versatility, the occupation of spaces, the surgical mark, the pass to the foot, the creation, his presence in defense and attack made him one of the clearest architects and creators of the Celestial victory.
The first goal at 38 minutes was the work of midfielder De la Cruz. It started in the middle of the field with Ugarte, who connected with Maximiliano Araújo with a deep ball that seemed to be going to Darwin Núñez but the Liverpool striker let it pass, already in the six-yard box, and the ball ended up in the back of the net for De la Cruz’s shot.
In the first half, Uruguay continued to press. While Chile tried above all to cut off the rival game without much creation or initiative.
Uruguay continued to take advantage of every small Chilean error to attack. In the first half, Núñez missed three clear opportunities, one of them one-on-one with Cortés. In the second half he was not lucky enough to connect despite some opportunities.
The second goal came when Ugarte recovered in the midfield, connected with De la Cruz who paused and touched near the crescent for Valverde, who hooked, took the mark, and hit hard at the goal of a Cortés who did not reach to the accurate shot against the left post at 46 minutes.
In the second half, Uruguay continued to hurt the rival. And when Chile tried to have possession of the game and propose the venue, they systematically blocked their way.
At 20 minutes into the match, one of Chile’s historic players, Arturo Vidal, entered. Shortly after, Valverde took a ball to the rival area in a run that passed by Darwin Núñez and ended up again at the feet of De La Cruz and in the celebration of the third goal.
A few minutes later Chile scored with a goal from a very attentive Vidal in the six-yard box after a rebound, born from a cross outside the area. It was the most dangerous play that Uruguay received and neither the defense nor goalkeeper Sergio Rochet could resolve it.
Chile could not achieve the long-awaited first victory at the Centenario stadium or demonstrate its game, perhaps due to Uruguayan pressure. Eduardo Berizzo, the visiting coach, would have many pending adjustments for the next date when Chile will host Colombia at the Monumental in Santiago.
Next Tuesday Uruguay will visit Ecuador in Quito, where Bielsa and his players could continue demonstrating their offensive game with initiative, daring and surprise, which left the public in Montevideo grateful.
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