Sporting player scored one of Uruguay's two goals and helped defeat Argentina in the first post-Messi game. Prestianni, the extreme of Benfica, was bet on the second part and watched for the attempted honor of the Argentines.
© Getty Images
14/11/2026
by
A Argentina failed, on Friday night, the first test after the withdrawal of Messi and also after the renewal of Lionel Scaloni until 2030, suffering a defeat at reception to Uruguay (1-2), in private play.
In the face of a bombonera visibly stripped of audience (the bench next to one of the beacons was empty) and in a game without the right to artistic note, would be the balls stopped for victory to the Uruguayans and with a player of Sporting and a former Benfica 'stuck to the noise'.
In the first part, the albiceleste selection was even more finishing, but without being able to truly disturb the guardian Cristopher Fiermarin.
The goals only arrived in Buenos Aires in the second part and with a ‘help’ by Leonardo Balerdi (48′). Following an indirect free strike by Giorgian de Arrascaeta, the ball would eventually enter the goal after an involuntary deviation from the Argentine defense of AS Rome, with Darwin Núñez, former Benfica, involved in the play.
After five minutes Uruguay rescheduled, again using the stops balls. This time through a corner, again beaten by the Uruguayan veteran who aligns in Flamengo. Arrascaeta put the ball to the first pole, where appeared Maxi Araújo (53′), player of Sporting, to give a head stroke that flew over the goal until arriving next to the second pole, before the inability of Geronimo Rulli, Argentine goalkeeper who limited himself to follow the trajectory of the ball with his eyes.
Uruguay has thus gained a very comfortable advantage in Bombonera, forcing Scaloni to seek solutions to try to reverse the course of events. It was at that time that he launched Gianluca Prestianni, who has so much shined in Benfica, to the place of Thiago Almada, already after also betting on the entrance of Matías Soulé, which goes shining in AS Rome, at the interval.
Argentina won again some ups in the match and at 73 minutes managed to reduce the distance in the scorer, with Prestianni in play. The extreme of the eagles received the ball in the left corridor and watched, with a pass to the heart of the great area, Julián Álvarez for the first Argentine goal of the night.
However, this reaction of the selection of the house would eventually sin late, with Uruguay leaving even to win from Buenos Aires.
Scaloni asks for patience
At the end of the match, the Argentine selector recognized that the exhibition was below the expected level, but recalled that a renewal process is underway and that young people like Prestianni need time to adapt to the demands.
“They are young and we believe we must find the right time to launch them. Unfortunately, today we can't find the time for them to enjoy their football. We must be patient, because they are young and will make their contribution. We can't expect them to assume the responsibility of carrying the team on their backs right now. It is difficult, especially against a great opponent ", said Scaloni, quoted by TyC Sports.
“There are many ways to lose. We also had opportunities. The opponent has created difficulties for us and we must congratulate him. This was not the scenario we had planned”, concluded Argentina’s selector.
Argentina again takes action on Tuesday night, with a reception to Costa Rica, while Uruguay will face the Dominican Republic at exactly the same time.