In a surprising turn of events, the Argentine national football team faced its first defeat in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, succumbing to Uruguay with a 0-2 scoreline in the fifth round. The goals for Uruguay were scored by Ronald Araujo in the 40th minute and Darwin Nunez in the 87th minute.

😢 First Defeat for Argentina

The Argentine squad, despite the participation of the iconic Lionel Messi, experienced its initial setback in the qualifiers against a formidable Uruguay. The 0-2 loss marked a significant moment, highlighting the competitive nature of the South American qualifiers.

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⚽🏆 Uruguay’s Dominance

Uruguay entered the match with determination, exerting pressure on Argentina from the beginning. The first opportunity to score came in the 9th minute when Nunez unleashed a powerful shot, narrowly missing the target. Ronald Araujo’s goal in the 40th minute broke the deadlock, making it the first time Argentina’s goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, conceded since the 2022 World Cup final against France.

🔄 Argentina’s Second-Half Efforts

In the second half, Argentina made strategic changes, bringing in forward Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria. Messi came close to scoring from a free-kick, but the ball hit the post, denying Argentina a crucial goal. Despite their efforts, Uruguay held firm.

⚽ Nunez Seals the Win

In the 87th minute, Darwin Nunez secured Uruguay’s victory with the second goal, adding to Argentina’s woes. The defeat, while disappointing, did not alter Argentina’s position at the top of the standings, maintaining a lead of two points over Uruguay.

📆 Upcoming Challenges

Looking ahead to the sixth round of qualifiers, Argentina faces a tough challenge as they travel to Brazil, while Uruguay hosts Bolivia. The dynamics of the qualifiers continue to unfold, promising more intense matchups and unexpected outcomes.