In a truly exhilarating encounter, Manuel Ugarte emerged as Uruguay’s hero, scoring a dramatic goal in the dying moments to end a frustrating five-match winless run with a thrilling 3-2 win over Colombia in South American qualifying for the World Cup on Friday.
Led by Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay looked on course for a solid 2-1 victory until a thrilling equalizer from Colombia’s Andres Gomez came in the sixth minute of injury time, sparking a burst supporters.
However, after celebrations and a lengthy VAR review, Uruguay went on the attack one last time. The ball found its way into the penalty area where Manchester United’s Ugarte, coming on as a substitute, seized the opportunity, striking just right for his first international goal and sending the historic Estadio Centenario into jubilation.
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Dramatic Ugarte goal gives Uruguay 3-2 win over Colombia
The victory not only clinched three crucial points, but also served as revenge for the Copa America semi-final defeat to Colombia last July.
With this triumph, Uruguay moves ahead of Colombia on goal difference, taking second place in the qualifying table, just behind heavyweights Argentina.
Colombia initially opened the scoring in the 31st minute, thanks to a brilliant free kick from Juan Fernando Quintero. While the home defense anticipated a cross from the left, Quintero managed to exploit a gap left by Venezuelan goalkeeper Sergio Rochet, firing a precise shot into the corner of the goal.
Uruguay equalized in the 57th minute in what could be described as a stroke of luck, when a cross from Marcelo Saracchi bounced off Daniel Munoz, prompting Davinson Sanchez to attempt a clearance which eventually found its way into his own goal .
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However, there was nothing lucky about the goal that turned the tide in Uruguay’s favor just three minutes later. A clever interplay between Maximiliano Araujo and Mathias Olivera set up the picture, allowing Rodrigo Aguirre to pass a challenge and find the back of the net.
It was a landmark moment for the 30-year-old Aguirre, who had plied his trade in Mexico with Club America and represented Uruguay at youth level without ever being called up to the senior team—until now, thanks to Bielsa’s confidence in him after a long goal drought in qualifying.
Aguirre looked destined to be the hero until chaos ensued in the final minutes, where a scrum in front of goal saw Sanchez head the ball into the danger zone, allowing Gomez to step in and grab a seemingly late equalizer .
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However, the story was not over as Ugarte’s stunning late shot secured a long-awaited victory for Bielsa’s men, marking their first win since a penalty shootout triumph over Canada in the title match. third place in the Copa America in July.
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