Marcelo Bielsa’s Building Project in Uruguay and Brazil’s Struggles in World Cup Qualifiers

Marcelo Bielsa’s appointment as the head coach of the Uruguay national team brought the promise of an exciting and dynamic squad. With young talents like Ronald Araújo, Manuel Ugarte, Federico Valverde, and Darwin Núñez, Bielsa is shaping Uruguay’s future. However, the decision to discard experienced players like Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani raised eyebrows, leaving Bielsa vulnerable to criticism.

The significance of Núñez’s late penalty goal against Colombia cannot be overstated. It not only rescued a point for Uruguay but also marked Núñez’s first goal in this campaign. This milestone propelled him to deliver a man-of-the-match performance in the 2-0 victory against Brazil. This historic win against Brazil, Uruguay’s second in World Cup qualification, ended Brazil’s undefeated streak in World Cup qualifiers, lasting more than eight years.

The tactical battle between Bielsa and Brazil’s coach, Fernando Diniz, was eagerly anticipated. Uruguay pressed relentlessly, while Brazil strategically baited their opponents, drawing them forward to create counter-attacking opportunities. Despite Brazil’s efforts, Núñez proved to be the decisive factor. His stooped header, guided inside the near post off a cross from winger Maximiliano Araujo, put Uruguay ahead.

To make matters worse for Brazil, Neymar suffered a knee injury and was forced to leave the game. As the match progressed, Brazil’s performance deteriorated. Their attacking threat remained minimal, with few opportunities created from open play. Their only glimmer of hope came from a set piece, where Rodrygo’s free kick struck the crossbar. With limited training time, Diniz’s unstructured style of play struggled to find coherence, lacking clear ideas on ball movement and relying on hopeful attempts to win free kicks.

Meanwhile, Uruguay capitalized on their pressing game and the option to play the ball up to their center forward. Núñez sealed the victory in the final 15 minutes, receiving a throw near the goal line, twisting past Gabriel, and providing a cross for Nicolas de la Cruz to fire into the net. Uruguay’s win highlighted the team’s potential under Bielsa’s guidance.

In another surprising result, Venezuela, currently level on points with Brazil, secured a convincing 3-0 win against Chile. Yeferson Soteldo, a product of Venezuela’s successful 2017 under-20 World Cup team, was instrumental in their victory. Soteldo showcased his skills and gave Venezuela the lead, while his team capitalized on Chile’s disadvantage after Marcelino Núñez received a red card for dissent towards the referee. With his exceptional performance, Soteldo exemplifies the exciting talent that Venezuela could potentially bring to the World Cup.

Looking ahead, Lionel Messi continues to defy expectations of longevity and relevance. Despite speculation about his retirement, Messi remains a vital figure for Argentina. Coming off the bench in their victory against Paraguay and starting the game against Peru, Messi displayed his class by scoring both goals in Argentina’s comfortable 2-0 win. Argentina’s success can be attributed not only to Messi’s brilliance but also to the team’s cohesive style of play under coach Lionel Scaloni. While other teams in the qualifiers are still in the early stages of progress, Argentina’s well-established team dynamic allows them to make football look effortless, putting them at the top of the table with a perfect record and a five-point lead.

In conclusion, Bielsa’s project in Uruguay, with its young and dynamic core, promises an exciting future for the national team. On the other hand, Brazil’s struggles in the World Cup qualifiers highlight the challenges faced by coach Diniz in implementing his unstructured approach. Venezuela’s impressive victory against Chile, fueled by the exceptional talent of Soteldo, adds another dimension to the competitive landscape. And despite his age, Messi continues to shine as the star of the Argentine team, which stands out with its well-oiled collective gameplay.