goals and errors in a frenetic duel

In a frenetic and captivating match, Argentina tied 3-3 against Uruguay and finished first in the group due to Paraguay’s 2-1 loss against Chile. Now, in the final round of the Pre-Olympic, the Under 23 National Team will begin on Monday against the local team Venezuelaon Wednesday against Paraguay and on Sunday the classic against Brazil.

When Marcelo Bielsa crossed paths with Lionel Scaloni at the Bombonera, congratulated him for having formed an author team. He was referring to the world champion Scaloneta in Qatar. The man from Rosario spoke about identity. And the Uruguay Under 23 Team in a couple of months has the DNA of El Loco and it was evident this Friday in the duel against Argentina: he attacked with intelligence and massiveness; He defended poorly and risked too much in each of the plays.

Javier Mascherano paid a small tribute to Bielsa, in addition to hugging each other effusively in the preview. And the Argentine coach planted a 5-3-2 with Pablo Solari and Francisco González as full-backs. Yes, two pure forwards playing as defenders. It is worth remembering that the national team was already classified for the final round of the Pre-Olympic and that many of the starters rested.

Uruguay was the one who took the lead from possession and Argentina counterattacked. And he took advantage of the numerous spaces that the Uruguayans gave. Federico Redondo and daring Claudio Echeverri, Luciano Gondou’s companion, were very firm in the brand.

The Racing boy, Baltasar Rodríguez, connected with an exact cross from González to make it 1-0. Aaron Quirós touched the net after a header from Gondou to make it 2-0. And González completed a counter commanded by Echeverri for the third.

In the middle, the Uruguayan discounts happened and a warning signal went off: Leandro Brey failed in both. In the first, the Boca goalkeeper hit a long rebound that Luciano Rodríguez, the boy River is looking for, took advantage of; In the second, his hands were defeated by a shot from Araujo.

In the complement, Uruguay continued to lead the game and Argentina dropped a change. Echeverri got tired and Gondou looked lonely up front. The wingers Solari and González also felt the wear and tear. At 15 minutes, a cross shot beat Lucas Esquivel and Matías Abaldo, from Gimnasia, tied it with a volley.

Mascherano moved the pieces and the additions of Nardoni, Equi Fernández and Almada improved the team. The National Team once again played near the rival area. Gondou had two clear ones and failed. Brey took a powerful free kick from Luciano Rodríguez. And towards the end, Mascherano strongly protested a possible penalty by Panchito González.

Thus, the duel between maestro Bielsa and one of his many admirers, Mascherano, culminated in a tie full of emotions.

The first round passed and Argentina qualified and left a good image. Even Mascherano ended with the certainty that the usual substitutes are ready, such as Redondo, Quirós and González. There is hope, then. The Final Phase, which grants two places for the Olympic Games, will begin this Monday against the surprising Venezuela.

Chile, with no chance of qualifying for the final phase of the South American Olympic Qualifiers towards Paris 2024, said goodbye to the tournament with a 2-1 victory against qualified Paraguay. A goal from Lucas Assadi, in the 70th minute, decided La Roja’s victory at the Brígido Iriarte stadium, in Caracas.

Gonzalo Tapia, in the 31st minute for the Australs, and Iván Leguizamón, in the 33rd minute for the Guaraníes, had scored the previous goals.