October 11, (THEWILL) – Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and Lautaro Martinez scored in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Uruguay in their round five fixture of the CONMEBOL qualifiers for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup at the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Libe.
The Copa America champions are now unbeaten in 24 games, with coach Lionel Scaloni leading the team to one of, if not the finest, performances of the series.
Uruguay had multiple chances to take the lead, but Martinez demonstrated why he was nominated for the Best Goalkeeper Award from last season.
Uruguay’s Luis Suarez had an early chance, but Martinez denied him with a strong right hand save. Uruguay would earn a second chance soon after, but once again, Martinez would keep them scoreless.
Martinez made another match-winning save that was a highlight of how important he wis to the Argentine victories that have taken place since he assumed the position of starting goalkeeper. The ball fell to Suarez, again, and he whipped a scathing volley only to see Martinez produce a fantastic stop.
Argentina then began to assert themselves in the game and Gio Lo Celso came close to breaking the deadlock. He received a defense-splitting pass from Lautaro Martinez and went around the on-rushing Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, only to hit the crossbar with numerous Uruguayan players on the line.
It was Lionel Messi’s attempted pass that became the first goal. The Paris Saint-Germain player sent an outside-of-the-foot cross into the area for Nicolas Gonzalez from outside the penalty area, but Gonzlez was unable to get to it, and the ball went through to also beat Muslera for the goal.
It was Messi’s 80th goal for Argentina and further extended the CONMEBOL record as the all-time highest goalscorer for a South American country.
Argentina’s lead was doubled thanks to Rodrigo De Paul, who produced a man of the match performance in the fixture in general. De Paul was first to a loose ball inside the penalty area, and his shot went in for the second goal.
Lionel Messi, Gio Lo Celso, and Rodrigo De Paul were teasing Uruguay at 2-0 as the interval approached, passing the ball and dribbling around them. Cristian Romero was another sensational performer in the first half and throughout the game.
In the second half, De Paul made a fantastic move down the right wing and exchanged a one-two combination pass with Messi. De Paul then delivered a cross-penalty area pass that was intercepted by Lautaro Martinez, who scored to put Argentina up 3-0 in the 62nd minute.
As the game progressed, Brazilian manager Scaloni made two changes: Angel Di Maria came in for Rodrigo, and Lautaro Martinez was replaced by Joaquin Correa. Argentina came close to scoring again when substitute Correa had a chance from inside the penalty area but could not convert.
Argentina made two additional changes. Exequiel Palacios replaced Leandro Parede and Julian Alvarez came in for Nicolas Gonzalez to help La Albiceleste keep their lead to the end.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
