Matchday 5 of the South American qualifying tournament for the 2026 USCANMAC World Cup saw the Blue and Whites of Uruguay visit the Blue and Whites of Argentina. Uruguay is the only team with double-digit points ahead of the tournament and sits at the top of the table.
table of scores (in exams or sports league)
The table-topping Pampas Eagles - Argentina - will be aiming to win at home to extend their lead in the
table of scores (in exams or sports league)
on the lead; tied with Brazil and Venezuela before the race
table of scores (in exams or sports league)
Second-placed Uruguay will be looking for more points to close the gap on the teams behind them. The tournament, which was originally scheduled to be held at Monument Stadium, was moved to Candy Box Stadium due to a clash with a concert by pop diva Taylor Swift.
(Please refer to the link for the lineups of both sides)
10th minute. Argentine center back Otamendi missed a long pass, Uruguayan right back Ronald Araujo intercepted it and sent a long pass to the front, where Darwin Núñez took control of the ball at his feet and drove straight into the box. The aging Otamendi was in hot pursuit of the young and strong Núñez, and in the end, he was able to deflect the ball away from him.
In the 13th minute, Messi was able to take a left-footed shot from just outside the center of the box, but the ball was headed right at the goalkeeper and was firmly confiscated by Uruguayan keeper Rochet.
In the 40th minute, Federico Valverde sent a through ball from the left side that crossed the Argentine midfield line and was contested by Argentina's Molina and Uruguay's Viña. Molina initially took control of the ball, but Viña aggressively fought for the ball in the corner and continued to push the ball along the line towards the goal. Viña sent in a cross that right back Araujo put in the back of the net and the ball was deflected past the keeper's foot. Uruguay took a 1-0 lead late in the first half.
Messi's free kick from the right in the 45th minute was met by both Cristian Romero and Tagliafico, causing chaos in the penalty area, but Uruguayan goalkeeper Rochet was able to pull off a thrilling save.
In the 55th minute, Di María, who had been on the pitch for less than two minutes, was fouled by Darwin Núñez on the right side of the box. In the 57th minute, Messi's free kick hit the right side of the goal, missing Argentina's best chance of the match.
In the 83rd minute, Di María took a corner kick from the left side of the field and Lautaro Martínez headed it towards the post, but Uruguayan goalkeeper Rochet was able to beat him to the ball.
In the 87th minute, Messi's attempt to break through the middle of the box was intercepted by Rodrigo Bentancur, and José María Giménez immediately passed the ball to Nicolás De La Cruz, who sent the ball to Núñez, who was in full sprint, between the two Argentine center-backs, with a precise long ball. Núñez was able to take the ball all the way to the goal, and this time, the elderly Otamendi could only watch as Núñez kicked the ball into his own goal. This wave of defense Otamendi defense counterattack after the interception, Uruguay team only touched the ball six times, with the most exciting attack of the game a kick to set the stage, laying the foundation for victory.
In the end, Uruguay managed to kick Argentina away 2:0 thanks to Ronald Araujo and Darwin Núñez's goals in the first and second half respectively.
Uruguay finished Matchday 5 with 10 points, up from a tie with Brazil and Venezuela.
table of scores (in exams or sports league)
Second, promoted to sole possession of second place. And narrowed the points gap with Argentina at the top of the table to two points remaining.
