Uruguay were held to a 0-0 draw by Paraguay in the World Cup qualifiers for Luis Suarez’s last game.
Legendary Uruguay striker Luis Suarez had a frustrating final appearance in Montevideo on Friday, with a 0-0 draw against Paraguay in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. «Gunman» puts away the sky blue jersey at the head of a trifle of 69 goals in 143 caps, enough to retire, at 37 years old, as the best scorer in the history of the Celeste.
“Thanks for everything, Lucho!”, “You were and will remain my eternal idol”, “You are unique and incomparable”: Farewell messages were numerous in the Centenario stadium, where more than 60,000 spectators had gathered. “A hat-trick!”hoped one of them, Rodrigo Tabeira, 16, before kick-off. “I’m happy. I want to see him celebrate a goal”also called for Lorenzo Buceta, 11 years old.
A career marked by goals and controversies
Suarez ultimately failed to reach the 70 mark «goals»in a match broken up by 24 fouls and punctuated by only one shot on target from the Uruguayan side. He himself missed an opportunity in the 18th minute, his shot hitting the post.
His 17-year international career was punctuated by a Copa America victory in Argentina in 2011, but also by controversies. As combative as he was eruptive, he notably stopped a header at close range against Ghana in the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup, contributing to his team’s qualification despite an inevitable red card for foul play. In the middle of a match at the 2014 World Cup, he bit the Italian Giorgio Chiellini, receiving a suspension of several months.
Thanked by Bielsa
“Referee, don’t blow the final whistle”fans asked before the game even started, refusing to see the icon of an entire country leave. “He is a very important person for football, not only in Uruguay but also in the world”Natalia Roman, a member of the stadium’s security detail, told AFP. “I feel moved”.
Asked at a press conference about Suarez’s international retirement, Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa said: “completely understandable” the decision of the Inter Miami striker in MLS. “I can’t give any grades, but (I can express) great gratitude to a star and a player who will remain in the history of football”he greeted.
With this single point gleaned for the last of its hero, Uruguay (14 points) is still second, behind the Argentinians (18), in these South American zone qualifiers. Colombia could not do better than the draw against Peru (1-1) and remains third, one point behind the Celeste.
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