It was a very, very physical match, and the ground condition also did not allow the players to have a great game. 

The second half, though, was more fluid from both sides. A few saves from Rochet prevented the opener. But Thiago Almada found a way to score a stunning goal to hand them the win. 

A red card for Nicolás González right before the end of the game did not cause too much trouble to the World Champions as well. 

All right, this is Koushik Biswas, signing off. I hope you enjoyed the coverage. Good morning. if you are from Asia. See you on the next LIVE Blog. 

A tough, tough 3 points for the Argentine team. 

A thudding strike from the youngster Thiago Almada was good enough for them to get the win. 

Argentine were down to 10 me at the fag end of the game, but it did not hurt them that much. 

They stay at the top of the points table with 28 points, 6 points clear of second-placed Ecuador.

Argentina get their first win of 2025!

Thiago Almada's thunderous strike was good enough for the World Champions to get a 1-0 win over neighbours Uruguay.

They stay at the top of the table with 28 points, six points clear than Ecuador at second.#FIFAWorldCupQualifiers pic.twitter.com/axGiIXGgfm

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) March 22, 2025

Direct red card for  Nicolás González for a high booted foul on Nandez. Argentina are down to 10 men.

Not that conformable from the big man. But, he finally latched on the ball to make the save. 

6 minutes added as injury time.

Yellow card for Alvarez.

Good, cautious jump and save from Emiliano as Maximiliano Araújo went for a big cross from right to left. 

Out: Almada, Paredes

In: Correa, Leonardo Balerdi

Yellow card for Olivera for a foul on Nicolás González. 

Maximiliano Araújo asks for a penalty as Molina tackles him inside the box. But Molina did reach the ball before catching him. 

Mac Allister is replaced by Palacios

Another halt in the game as Mac Allister is down after a foul by Bentancur.

Thiago Almada's stunning goal gives Argentina the lead!#URUARG #FIFAWorldCupQualifiers pic.twitter.com/NW2CjEAJZj

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) March 22, 2025

Out: Valverde, Nunez

In: Federico Viñas, Rodrigo Aguirre

Simeone is replaced by Nicolás González

WHAATTTTT A GOOALLL!

The boy who is set to replace Lionel Messi in the future does the job for his country. 

A curling shot from just outside the box, and it goes straight in to the goal. Rochet could not have done anything to it. 

Argentina take the lead.

Yellow card for Nandez for a foul Mac Allister, the first of the game, finally. 

That was the second save from the goalkeeper in the last two minutes. Argentina are creating chances now. This time it was Molina making an effort at the goal. 

Rochet makes another save as Simione attempted from close range. He already had two great chances in the second half. 

Romero blocks a shot from Maximiliano Araújo, from a close range. 

Pellistri is replaced by Brian Rodríguez.

From a corner, Simione had the chance to shoot the ball inside the goal from the middle. But, he could not connect his shot. 

Rochet is down after a tussle with Alavrez inside the box. Stoppage in play. 

The second half has been faster and better for both teams. After a counterattack from Argentina, we now see a counterattack from Uruguay as well. 

Another chaotic moment in the middle as Olivera stepped on Mac Allister and the referee this time again did not show any card. 

Valverde with a shot from outside of the box. The ball dropped in front of Martinez, who grabbed the ball cautiously. 

Argentine, in a counterattack, nearly found the first goal of the night. Mac Allister and Alvarez tead up to find Almada on the right, whose shot was saved by Rochet. 

No changes from either team. 

There where more fouls (9) than shots (6) in the first half of the Uruguay vs. Argentina match. pic.twitter.com/Pfe2oHMyY8

— The Touchline | Football Coverage (@TouchlineX) March 22, 2025

Not so pleasant 45 minutes from any neutral viewer. 

Lots of fouls, a few brawls, misplaced passes and only a few shots on the goal. 

Lots of work needs to be done by both teams.

Foul by De La Curz on Paredes. The subs threw an elbow at the Argentine player.

2 minutes have been added as the injury time.

There was a brawl in the middle after the referee denied a penalty for Argentina. 

Earlier, Simione's shot was saved by Rochet, and then the rebound ball was also blocked by Jiminez.

Dela Cruz replaces Arrascaeta.

Nunez is down after a tussle against Romero and Emiliano Martinez. Martinez came running for the lobbed ball while Romero made sure he had the back against Nunez. 

Nandez with a good block as Simione swapped his side and went for a shot at the goal. 

The Atletico Madrid player ran back hard to get the ball away from a dangerous position for Argentina. 

Corner for Uruguay. 

- Partidazo argentina vs Uruguay en fecha fifa eh

Literalmente el partido de Argentina vs Uruguay:pic.twitter.com/5r2W9y68YW

— 9/12 🏆🐔 (@lauti_rioss) March 21, 2025

A good effort at the goal from Arrascaeta, as he made a quick turn and shot at the goal with his right foot from outside the box. 

But, Martinez was up to the task, making a big dive to his left to grab the ball with both hands.

Este es el equipo que hoy nos une pic.twitter.com/X7t6yjyVuM

— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) March 21, 2025

𝐓.𝐄.𝐀.𝐌. 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/Fqlg31FDeZ

— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) March 21, 2025

Tagliafico is down after tussling with an incoming Emiliano Martinez, who came hard to get the overlapping ball from Nandez.

Easy save for Rochet, as that interception from Tagliafico helped Argentina make a counterattack. Enzo with the curling shot for the Argentine team. 

Tagliafico with a great interception in the final third to win the ball back from Núñez. 

Otamendi fouls Nandez just 10 yards from the box. 

Free-kick from a dangerous position for them. 

Argentina are looking to be paitecne now with their attack. Enzo and Mac Allister are trying to be there provider in the middle alongside Romero. 

In the meantime, Simione and Julian are acting as their main offensive men. 

First shot of the game comes from Paredes. He took a chance with a right-footed shot from outside the box. He was far away from the goal, though. 

The Argentine captain comes between the cross from the right side by M. Araujo.

Argentina were going for a counterattack as Alvarez found Simeone with a turning pass. But Bentancur came from behind to win the ball back for Uruguay. 

Both teams are looking a bit rusty as they keep on losing balls and misplacing passes. 

Pellistri is down after a tussle with Mac Allister. 

It is not a miss but if Julian could have controlled the ball well and did not lose the ball from a long ball by Emi Martinez, he could have been one-on-one against Rochet.

𝑫𝒊𝒃𝒖 for 50 times 🥅 pic.twitter.com/u1OcUamT4a

— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) March 21, 2025

A good run on the win from Julian Alvarez, but he was not been able to beat Jiminez with speed. It goes for a throw in for them. 

They are now looking to control the ball and the game. 

Early attack from the hosts as Molina and Tagliafico made two defensive mistakes for Argentina.

Here we go!

We are done with the anthems and minutes away from kick-off!

Ta’ pelao’, a jugar pic.twitter.com/WasNN3Dtgd

— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) March 21, 2025

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 🕷 pic.twitter.com/uJAmPmOPi8

— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) March 21, 2025

Bien uruguayo pic.twitter.com/I34xOIfkmT

— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) March 21, 2025

🌟 @emimartinezz1 pic.twitter.com/cWfqAOoBMj

— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) March 21, 2025

Starting XI: E. Martínez, N. Molina, C. Romero, N. Otamendi (c), N. Tagliafico, E. Fernández, L. Paredes, A. Mac Allister, G. Simeone, J. Álvarez, T. Almada

Subs: Gerónimo Rulli, Walter Benítez, Leonardo Balerdi, Germán Pezzella, Facundo Medina, Nicolás González, Rodrigo de Paul, Nico Paz, Exequiel Palacios, Benjamín Domínguez, Ángel Correa, Santiago Castro

Starting XI: S. Rochet, N. Nández, R. Araújo, J. M. Giménez (c), M. Olivera, F. Valverde, R. Bentancur, Arrascaeta, Maximiliano Araújo, F. Pellistri, D. Núñez

Subs: Santiago Mele, Franco Israel, Marcelo Saracchi, Santiago Bueno, Guillermo Varela, Sebastián Cáceres, Brian Rodríguez, Nicolás de la Cruz, Nicolas Fonseca, Luciano Rodríguez, Federico Viñas, Rodrigo Aguirre

Lionel Messi, the Argentine captain, will miss the match due to an injury he sustained during an MLS game for Inter Miami. 

Read More: Uruguay vs Argentina FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Why is Lionel Messi not playing?

Manchester United star Manuel Ugarte will miss the match due to a card issue. He has been suspended for the match due to the accumulation of yellow cards. 

📋 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗩𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗗𝗢𝗦

Lista de jugadores confirmados por Marcelo Bielsa para la doble fecha de marzo en la que enfrentaremos a Argentina y Bolivia.

📺 https://t.co/qVMBrYJR1J #ElEquipoQueNosUne pic.twitter.com/oenYai9zhG

— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) March 18, 2025

📋 This is the final squad list called up by Lionel Scaloni for the upcoming matches against Uruguay and Brazil in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers! 📝 pic.twitter.com/j34xzALRDY

— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) March 17, 2025

Match: Uruguay vs Argentina match - 2026 World Cup Conmebol Qualifiers

Date: 22 March 2025

Time: 5:00 AM IST

Venue: Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay