Friday night saw an exciting World Cup qualifier in South America, where Liverpool teammates Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz went head-to-head as Uruguay hosted Colombia.
The clash ended in a dramatic 3-2 victory for Uruguay, with a last-gasp goal sealing the win.
The match, which featured two of Liverpool’s standout players, offered plenty of action but not much direct involvement from the Reds duo in terms of goals or assists. While Díaz played his usual role on the left flank for Colombia, Núñez led the line for Uruguay, showcasing his position as the focal point of their attack in the post-Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani era.
Colombia believed they had salvaged a crucial point when Andrés Gómez scored six minutes into stoppage time. However, Uruguay’s Manuel Ugarte, who plays for Manchester United, struck in the 101st minute to clinch a dramatic home victory.
Both players started the game but had relatively quiet outings by their standards. Núñez, tasked with spearheading Uruguay’s attack, managed three shots during the match but had only two touches inside the opposition’s penalty area, a surprisingly low figure for someone playing 90 minutes as a central striker.
On the other hand, Díaz struggled to replicate his electric club form on the international stage. He created just one chance during the game and was dispossessed five times. However, he remained combative, winning a match-high 12 duels, which highlighted his tireless effort on the pitch even when he wasn’t at his best.
Uruguay’s win moves them up to second in the South American World Cup qualifying standings, leapfrogging both Colombia and Brazil, their next opponents. For Núñez, the focus now shifts to facing Brazil on Tuesday night, while Díaz and Colombia will host Ecuador in what promises to be another crucial qualifier.
From Liverpool’s perspective, the priority will be ensuring both players return fit and ready for club duties. With a Premier League fixture against Southampton scheduled for November 24, Jürgen Klopp will be hoping his star attackers avoid injuries during their international commitments.
While neither Núñez nor Díaz was at their peak during this encounter, both are pivotal to Liverpool’s hopes this season. Díaz, in particular, has been in scintillating form, with nine goals already to his name this season, including a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen. He has arguably reached his highest level yet in a Liverpool shirt, playing a central role in the club’s pursuit of silverware.
In other international action on Friday, young Liverpool prospect Ben Doak delivered a standout performance for Scotland in their 1-0 UEFA Nations League victory over Croatia. The teenager played a key role in John McGinn’s decisive goal and was named Man of the Match for his impressive display.
As the international break continues, Liverpool fans will be watching closely, hoping their players return unscathed and ready to contribute to the club’s domestic and European campaigns. With Núñez and Díaz showing flashes of brilliance throughout the season, the Reds will need both at their best to sustain their Premier League title challenge.
COMMENTS