📸 One moment of magic enough for 10-man Argentina to unlock Uruguay
One man proved the difference maker as Argentina edged past Uruguay 1-0 during Friday's World Cup Qualifier. And his name was not Lionel Messi.
Scorer: Almada 68'
Two South American giants going head-to-head meant it would always be a passionate affair at the Centenario. Yet the tense atmosphere on the pitch led to limited football actually being played.
There were only six shots combined during the opening five minutes of this clash with more fouls registered on the scoresheet (nine). Tempers flared, unsurprisingly, and despite the talent available, things remained goalless well into the second half.
Then just one moment of magic proved the difference in the end, something normally falling on the shoulders of one eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, Lionel Messi.
However, with the Inter Miami star unavailable due to injury, Argentina relied upon Julian Alvarez and Thiago Almada to deliver the winning moment.
AN ABSOLUTE BANGER FROM ALMADA 🇦🇷☄️ pic.twitter.com/nMLta9BA3O
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) March 22, 2025
A beauty from Thiago Almada ☄️
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 22, 2025
(via @telefe)pic.twitter.com/OT0lRc0VXv
The Atletico de Madrid starlet danced around Uruguay's defence on the left wing and gifted the ball to his countryman outside the box.
The Lyon attacking midfielder then took one touch and picked out the top right corner, leaving goalkeeper Sergio Rochet no chance.
The moment went down as Almada's third goal in seven matches for Argentina and his second in the qualifiers.
Things ended poorly for Argentina, however, when substitute Nicolás González was shown a direct red card for kicking Nahitan Nández in the face in the dying minutes.
Looking at the table, Argentina sit top of the CONMEBOL qualifiers with a six-point lead while Uruguay are eight points back in fourth.
📸 Ernesto Ryan - 2025 Getty Images
-
Almada golazo gives win to Messi-less Argentina
Argentina didn't miss Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez and other key players on Friday and beat Uruguay away 1-0 in convincing fashion in their South American World Cup qualifying match.ESPN - 4h -
Messi out of World Cup qualifying matches against Uruguay and Brazil
Argentina star Lionel Messi will miss the two South American World Cup qualifying matches against Uruguay and BrazilABC News - 4d -
Argentina without Messi wins at Uruguay, needs a draw with Brazil to qualify for 2026 World Cup
Argentina didn’t miss Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez and other key players as it beat Uruguay away 1-0 in their South American World Cup qualifying matchABC News - 7h -
Argentina on brink after Almada strike sinks Uruguay
Argentina edged to the brink of qualification for the 2026 World Cup on Friday after a superb strike from Thiago Almada earned them a 1-0 victory over Uruguay in Montevideo.Gathering the ball on ...Yahoo Sports - 6h -
Lionel Messi to miss Argentina World Cup qualifiers with adductor injury
Inter Miami confirm injury in MLS game against Atlanta Messi will miss matches against Uruguay and Brazil Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and ...The Guardian - 4d -
Uruguay vs. Argentina live stream: Where to watch CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying online, prediction, TV channel
Can a Lionel Messi-less Argentina get a result in Montevideo, one of the most difficult places to play in the world?CBS Sports - 16h -
Messi out injured as Argentina seek to seal World Cup place
Lionel Messi will miss two World Cup qualifiers after he was on Monday left out of the Argentina squad for games against Uruguay and Brazil because he reportedly suffered an injury in a club game ...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Lionel Messi won't join Argentina for matches vs Uruguay, Brazil. Here's the latest
Lionel Messi will not join the Argentine national team for two World Cup qualifying matches in the next week. Here's the latest on Messi.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Messi out for Argentina after MRI reveals injury
Lionel Messi will not join Argentina for World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Uruguay, failing to make the final roster after featuring in the pre-list.ESPN - 3d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Could Boston Celtics point guard Derrick White finish his NBA career a Hall of Famer?
What else would he need to do to make it?Yahoo Sports - 17m -
“I felt that I could improve” – Cucurella reveals aspect of his game he’s “very happy” to have improved
Marc Cucurella is happy he’s added goals to his game as he felt that’s one of the main things he needed to improve on.Cucurella is having a brilliant season for the Blues and has established himse...Yahoo Sports - 19m -
Piastri takes pole position at Chinese GP ahead of Russell, Hamilton fifth
Oscar Piastri claimed pole position for Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix as Mercedes’ George Russell brilliantly managed to insert himself between the two McLarens in Shanghai.Yahoo Sports - 21m -
NFL draft prospect ranks Commanders' Terry McLaurin as a top 3 wide receiver
One NFL draft prospect says Commanders WR Terry McLaurin is one of the league's three best wide receivers.Yahoo Sports - 28m -
Bid prepared: Man United looking to get ahead of Tottenham in race for £50m transfer
Manchester United are reportedly ready to spend £50million on the potential transfer of Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite this summer.According to a report from Fichajes, the Red Devils are ...Yahoo Sports - 31m
More in Sports
-
Could Boston Celtics point guard Derrick White finish his NBA career a Hall of Famer?
What else would he need to do to make it?Yahoo Sports - 17m -
“I felt that I could improve” – Cucurella reveals aspect of his game he’s “very happy” to have improved
Marc Cucurella is happy he’s added goals to his game as he felt that’s one of the main things he needed to improve on.Cucurella is having a brilliant season for the Blues and has established himse...Yahoo Sports - 19m -
Piastri takes pole position at Chinese GP ahead of Russell, Hamilton fifth
Oscar Piastri claimed pole position for Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix as Mercedes’ George Russell brilliantly managed to insert himself between the two McLarens in Shanghai.Yahoo Sports - 21m -
NFL draft prospect ranks Commanders' Terry McLaurin as a top 3 wide receiver
One NFL draft prospect says Commanders WR Terry McLaurin is one of the league's three best wide receivers.Yahoo Sports - 28m -
Bid prepared: Man United looking to get ahead of Tottenham in race for £50m transfer
Manchester United are reportedly ready to spend £50million on the potential transfer of Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite this summer.According to a report from Fichajes, the Red Devils are ...Yahoo Sports - 31m