Argentina 1-2 Uruguay: Maximiliano Araújo seals win at La Bombonera

Uruguay won 2-1 against Argentina in an international friendly at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires on Friday night, spoiling Argentina's first match since Lionel Messi's international retirement. A Leonardo Balerdi own goal and a Maximiliano Araújo strike early in the second half put Diego Forlán's side two up before Julián Álvarez pulled one back, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed in its official match report.

Match facts

• Result: Argentina 1-2 Uruguay (half-time 0-0)
• Competition: International friendly, November international window
• Venue: Estadio Alberto J. Armando (La Bombonera), Buenos Aires
• Scorers: Argentina - Julián Álvarez 73'; Uruguay - Leonardo Balerdi 48' (og), Maximiliano Araújo 53'
• Red cards: None
• Referee: Flavio Rodrigues de Souza (Brazil)
• Head coaches: Lionel Scaloni (Argentina), Diego Forlán (Uruguay)
• Next: Argentina v Costa Rica, Tuesday 17 November, Córdoba; Uruguay v Dominican Republic, Tuesday 17 November, Maldonado

How the match unfolded

The first half was even, though Argentina got into the Uruguay box more often and goalkeeper Cristopher Fiermarín was kept busy. According to the Spanish news agency EFE, Fiermarín saved from Álvarez in the seventh minute after an Enzo Fernández pass in behind, and again from a low Facundo Medina shot in the 19th. Nico Paz headed wide from a Gonzalo Montiel cross three minutes later, while Uruguay's only real threat before the break ended with Balerdi cutting out a cross meant for Darwin Núñez.

Scaloni sent on Matías Soulé for Exequiel Palacios at half-time, but Uruguay struck twice in five minutes. In the 48th minute, by EFE's account, a high ball into the Argentina box was cleared by Lisandro Martínez straight against Balerdi and the ball flew past Gerónimo Rulli for an own goal. Five minutes later Araújo doubled the lead from a Giorgian De Arrascaeta corner.

Forlán brought on Federico Valverde and Sebastián Cáceres in the 58th minute, and Scaloni replied by sending on Gianluca Prestianni for Thiago Almada three minutes later. EFE reported that Almada had already gone close and that Fiermarín denied Paz before Argentina finally broke through in the 73rd minute, when Prestianni beat his man and cut the ball back for Álvarez to finish.

Uruguay then tightened up and looked to counter-attack, EFE said. Forlán used the rest of his changes from the 76th minute, sending on Federico Viñas, Facundo Bernal, Rodrigo Aguirre and Facundo Pellistri, and Argentina could not find an equaliser.

What does the defeat mean for Argentina?

It is a losing start to a new chapter. Associated Press and EFE both described the game as the opening of Argentina's post-Messi era, coming after the 39-year-old played his farewell match against Benin in October. It is also Scaloni's first game since the AFA extended his contract until 2030 on Thursday. Elsewhere in this window, Brazil also lost a friendly, 3-2 to Japan in Singapore.

What happens next?

The AFA said Argentina will play Costa Rica at 20:00 local time on Tuesday 17 November at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba, their second and last game of the window. The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) said its squad would fly back to Montevideo after the match to prepare for a friendly against the Dominican Republic on the same day at the Estadio Domingo Burgueño Miguel in Maldonado.

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