MONTEVIDEO, NOV 17 – Manuel Ugarte scored a last-minute winner as Uruguay ended a five-game winless streak with a dramatic 3-2 win over Colombia in South American World Cup qualifying this morning.
Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay came close to a 2-1 victory until Colombia equalized through Andres Gomez in the sixth minute of added time.
However, after a long goal celebration and VAR review, Uruguay sent the ball into the penalty box and it fell to Manchester United midfielder Ugarte, who did not miss the chance to score his first international goal.
The atmosphere at the historic Estadio Centenario was lively as Uruguay took all three points to avenge their loss to Colombia in the semi-finals of the Copa America last July.
The victory moved Uruguay ahead of Colombia on goal difference, finishing second behind leaders Argentina.
Colombia first took the lead in the 31st minute through a stunning free kick by Juan Fernando Quintero. When the Uruguayan defense anticipated a cross from the left of the box, Quintero cleverly took advantage of the space at the near post left by Venezuelan goalkeeper Sergio Rochet to fire a shot straight into the corner of the net.
Uruguay equalized in the 57th minute thanks to good fortune when Marcelo Saracchi’s cross from the left hit Daniel Munoz and Davinson Sanchez’s attempt to block the ball ended up in his own net.
However, the goal that put Uruguay ahead in the 60th minute was created through a well-organized move, which saw Maximiliano Araujo and Mathias Olivera work together with a neat pass before Rodrigo Aguirre rose to the challenge and fired a powerful shot past the Colombian goalkeeper.
The goal was an emotional moment for Aguirre, who is 30 and plays in Mexico with Club America, as it was his first appearance in the first team after representing his country at youth level.
Aguirre looked set to be the hero of the night until, after a challenge for the ball in front of goal, Sanchez headed the ball into the penalty area and Gomez seized the opportunity to equalize in added time. – AFP