Feargal Brennan
Liverpool star Darwin Nunez has carried Merseyside rivalry all the way to Montevideo for Uruguay’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side moved up to second in the CONMEBOL rankings for the tournament after a wild 3-2 win over Colombia.
Nunez led Bielsa’s attack with typical fight and attitude, but the final say in the contest belonged to Manchester United star Manuel Ugarte, as he fired home the winner in the 11th minute of added for a first international goal.
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Ugarte’s goal triggered chaotic celebrations for the hosts at the Estadio Centenario with Nunez at the forefront as the final whistle blew.
Despite not finding the back of the net, Nunez had running battles with the Colombian defence throughout, including former Everton center-back Yerry Mina.
Mina was thrown on in the final seconds of regulation time – with Colombia trailing 2-1 – but he still had time for a tussle with Nunez.
The veteran defender was infamously mocked by Lionel Messi in a 2021 Copa America semifinal following his penalty shootout antics in the previous round against Uruguay.
Mina’s infamously danced after slotting home his spot kick – as Colombia edged past Uruguay – but he was denied by Emiliano Martinez against Messi’s Argentina with the Inter Miami captain yelling at him to ‘bailá ahora / dance now’.
As Ugarte sealed a key victory over Mina and Co. it was Nunez who channelled his inner Messi to mock his former foe from the other side of Merseyside.
Darwin Nuñez ran to Yerri Mina to yell the goal right in his face
• The 0x Copa America winner isn’t dancing anymore 😉pic.twitter.com/0ccvxowKMe
Uruguay take on Brazil on November 20, in their final game of 2024, with Nunez expected to be assessed for Liverpool’s Premier League return at Southampton on November 24.
Feargal is a content producer for The Sporting News. He has been working with TSN since the start of 2022 after stints with Reach, Amazon UK and Squawka in a nomadic career in the football media pyramid. Always with a keen eye on Arteta’s ‘Reds’ and Kenny’s Ireland ‘Greens’ and a 100% five-a-side penalty record.
