With conviction and clarity, Marcelo Bielsa’s tenure as the head coach of the Uruguay National Team continues, defeating Argentina.
In the World Cup 2026 Qualifiers held in Buenos Aires, Bielsa’s team, featuring players from Liga MX, surprisingly secured a 0-2 victory over Argentina, which included Lionel Messi.
In a match witnessed by thousands at the iconic La Bombonera stadium, fans got a glimpse of the soccer style that will guide them over the next three years on the road to the FIFA World Cup in Mexico/Canada/United States.
The goals came from Barcelona’s central defender, Ronald Araujo, at the 41st minute of the first half, and Liverpool’s center-forward, Darwin Núñez, at the 87th minute in the second half, sealing the victory for Uruguay.
How many Liga MX players did Bielsa field against Argentina?
Under Marcelo Bielsa, two Liga MX players featured in the match: central defender Sebastián Cáceres (as a starter) and center-forward Federico Viñas (as a substitute), representing Club América and Club León, respectively.
Current Conmebol Qualifiers standings
Looking at the latest standings after the fifth round of the Conmebol qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, Argentina remains in the lead with 12 points.
Uruguay follows closely with 10 points, while Colombia holds 9 points.
Venezuela stands at 8 points, surpassing Brazil with only 7 points.
Further down the table, Ecuador, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, and Peru follow after.
Marcelo Bielsa and Uruguay’s bright future
Marcelo Bielsa, having previously coached Argentina and Chile, is now steering Uruguay toward a bright future.
While his time with Argentina faced challenges, notably the 2002 FIFA World Cup, he achieved great success with Chile.
Bielsa’s name is synonymous with an impressive style of play, and Uruguay aims to reclaim its former glory under his guidance, reminiscent of the achievements during Óscar Washington Tabárez’s tenure, leading them to the World Cup semifinals.
With a focus on rejuvenation for the Conmebol Qualifiers towards the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Mexico/United States/Canada 2026, Bielsa is cultivating a new generation for the South Americans.
Young talented players like Federico Valverde, Darwin Nuñez, Ronald Araujo, José María Giménez, Facundo Torres, Facundo Pellistri, and more are now at the forefront, shaping the present and future of Uruguay to regain its status as one of the world’s top national teams.