Darwin Nunez scored a stoppage time penalty to earn Uruguay a point against Colombia
Liverpool star Darwin Nunez proved to be Uruguay’s savior against Colombia in the World Cup qualifier.
It was the Battle of Anfield in Barranquilla when Luis Diaz faced his Reds strike partner. Uruguay looked to bounce back from their loss to Ecuador as it dampened their positive outlook after their opening win over Chile.
The jury is still out on Nunez under Marcelo Bielsa, but the former Leeds United boss showed his faith in the Liverpool man early on at La Celeste.
Nunez earned a significant stoppage time penalty after Camilo Vargas was sent off for a blistering challenge in the box on Maximilliano Araujo. The Liverpool forward fired into the top right corner to put Uruguay in fourth.
It will be one of the toughest tests of Uruguay’s campaign when they face Brazil in Montevideo on Wednesday (kick-off 1:00). Fernando Diniz’s spell ended after Eduard Bello scored for Venezuela with five minutes remaining in normal time to get the Brazilians back on the scoresheet.
Nunez, meanwhile, looks unlikely to meet Liverpool team-mate Alisson in the Uruguayan capital, with Manchester City’s Ederson still enjoying a starting spot in Brazil.
El Obervador reflected on Nunez’s point-saving contribution. The Liverpool striker was given a player rating of six and was praised for extending stoppage time to earn the point.
They wrote: “(Darwin Nunez): Started in the first goal of Uruguay, where the goalkeeper Camilo Vargas responded well. Ariguense (arrogance) appeared in the best moments of Uruguay and finished the penalty in the 90th minute. He very finished the game well. 12 steps.”
El Pais praised Nunez’s composure in handing Uruguay a crucial point, ensuring they did not fall off the pace in World Cup qualifiers.
They wrote: “Darwin hits a high ball to Araújo, Vargas brings him down: penalty and red for the keeper. 9 Celeste asked De la Cruz for the ball and put it in the corner, as Diego Forlán once did in Quito.
ESPN Uruguay highlighted the Liverpool man’s ruthlessness to ensure a point was saved. They said: “Uruguay managed a draw in their third qualifying match this Thursday, earning a 2-2 away draw against Colombia…
“… However, Darwin Núñez, in charge of the execution, coolly decided to close the tie, which was ultimately valuable for Celeste, who had another chance from outside when De La Cruz went near the post.”
