Lionel Messi Argentina 2023Getty Images
Ryan Tolmich

Argentina player ratings vs Uruguay: Lionel Messi can't save World Cup winners as Albiceleste fall to Uruguay for first loss in a year

For the first time since that famous defeat to Saudi Arabia in the World Cup, Lionel Messi and Argentina have lost.

It's been quite some time since Argentina felt this feeling. Just six days shy of one whole year, in fact. For the first time since their World Cup opener in Qatar, Lionel Messi and Argentina have tasted defeat.

It arrived at the hands of Uruguay, who stunned the Albiceleste, 2-0, at La Bombonera. Goals from Maxi Araujo and Darwin Nunez ultimately led to Argentina's demise, with those two being the first the team has conceded since the famous World Cup final against France.

It'll be a frustrating defeat for Argentina, who conceded the first goal from a bad giveaway. The second, Nunez's finish, came late with the team pushing, ending any hopes of a comeback.

In the grand scheme, this loss will likely mean little. Both Argentina and Uruguay are almost guaranteed to make it out of World Cup qualifying and onto the 2026 tournament. However, for the first time in a long while, Argentina have been shown to be beatable, which will leave plenty of other teams with a bit more hope than before with the Copa America right around the corner.

GOAL rates Argentina's players from La Bombonera...

  • Emiliano Martinez Nicolas De La Cruz Argentina Uruguay Eliminatorias Sudamericanas 16112023Getty Images

    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Emiliano Martinez (6/10):

    So long shutout streak. The opening goal was the first Martinez has allowed for Argentina since the World Cup final, which he'll be disappointed by, even if the defence did let him down.

    Nicolas Tagliafico (6/10):

    Steady as always. You can nitpick that he could have done more to help on the first goal, but Argentina were put into panic mode when Molina lost the ball.

    Nicolas Otamendi (6/10):

    Was solid enough, but did show some signs of his age in this one as he looked a bit off the pace at times.

    Cristian Romero (7/10):

    A very good performance from the Spurs defender, who did a bit of everything on the day.

    Nahuel Molina (5/10):

    A rough giveaway on the goal sequence, and that's something you just can't do at this level.

    • Advertisement
  • De Paul Uruguay Argentina 2023Getty

    Midfield

    Enzo Fernandez (7/10):

    The best-performing midfielder, although that isn't saying much. The only one of the three to complete the 90.

    Alexis Mac Allister (6/10):

    Wasn't great during his 45-minute run out. On a yellow card, he was sacrificed at halftime to bring on more firepower in Lautaro Martinez.

    Rodrigo de Paul (5/10):

    A rather anonymous showing from Messi's bodyguard, aside from a tackle that seemingly left Maxi Araujo with a serious injury.

  • Lionel Messi Argentina Uruguay Eliminatorias Sudamericanas 16112023Getty Images

    Attack

    Nicolas Gonzalez (5/10):

    Quiet once again. Couldn't create much off the dribble and passing was all over the place. Not the best showing for a player that has gotten several chances to seize this role.

    Julian Alvarez (6/10):

    Didn't see nearly enough of the ball to make an impact. Only had one shot, which won't feel like anywhere close to enough for a striker of his level.

    Lionel Messi (7/10):

    Rattled the bar once and created several more chances that Argentina failed to convert. A good performance, for sure, but not the heroic one that Argentina needed.

  • Lionel Scaloni Seleccion argentina entrenamiento 2023JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images

    Subs & Manager

    Lautaro Martinez (6/10):

    Brought in to add a bit more juice to the attack. Had one shot on target, but little else.

    Angel Di Maria (6/10):

    Came on early in the second half and had a few dangerous crosses that couldn't quite lead to anything.

    Exequiel Palacios (7/10):

    Moved the ball well and added a bit to midfield after replacing De Paul.

    Giovani Lo Celso (N/A):

    Came on a bit too late to change the game.

    Marcos Acuna (N/A):

    Arrived too late to make an impact.

    Lionel Scaloni (6/10):

    You can't criticize him too much considering all Argentina have achieved, can you? Feels like the substitutions could have been better, but they were bound to lose some time.