Uruguay beat Argentina 2-1 at La Bombonera in the first match since Lionel Messi’s international retirement, with Leonardo Balerdi’s own goal on 48 minutes and Maxi Araújo’s strike on 53 outweighing Julián Álvarez’s reply on 73 in a Friday friendly.
Buenos Aires, Argentina: Argentina began life without Lionel Messi with a 2-1 home defeat to Uruguay in a friendly at La Bombonera on Friday. Two goals in five minutes at the start of the second half decided the match, and Julián Álvarez’s goal on 73 minutes was not enough to rescue a point.
Two set-piece goals turn the game
The match was level at the break. Uruguay took the lead on 48 minutes when a dangerous set-piece delivery was deflected into his own net by Argentina defender Leonardo Balerdi. Five minutes later, on 53, Maxi Araújo doubled the lead from a well-worked corner delivered by Giorgian de Arrascaeta.
Álvarez pulls one back
Argentina responded on 73 minutes. Gianluca Prestianni ran in from the left and cut the ball back, and Álvarez finished to make it 2-1. The home side pushed late but could not find an equaliser.
A team without its captain
It was Argentina’s first match since Messi retired from international football in early October after his farewell win over Benin, having lost the World Cup final to Spain. Coach Lionel Scaloni left the No. 10 shirt unassigned, saying he has not chosen a successor. Argentina kept the ball well, but Nico Paz and Thiago Almada did not supply the final-third spark that Messi usually did. The stadium was not sold out.
“We have to rebuild without Leo Messi, and we have the talent to bounce back from this loss,” Scaloni said. He said his side played well in the second half, and Álvarez called it “a new era, with a lot of young guys”. Scaloni signed a contract extension through 2030 earlier this week. Uruguay were coached by Diego Forlán.
What is next
Argentina play Costa Rica in Córdoba on Tuesday, the same day Uruguay host the Dominican Republic.
Result: Argentina 1 (Álvarez 73’), Uruguay 2 (Balerdi og 48’, Araújo 53’). International friendly, La Bombonera, Buenos Aires.
