Facundo Pellistri grabbed his opportunity for Uruguay as they thrashed Venezuela 4-1 in World Cup qualifying.
Pellistri provided an assist after waltzing through a crowded defence before laying on a pass which Giorgian de Arrascaeta could not miss.
It was a special moment from a player who has not had a lot to shout about during his loan at Alaves.
The United winger also won a penalty in the second half after he was fouled inside the box, following a VAR review.
Pellistri, 20, is was making just his second international start and really showed what he is capable of.
He created four goalscoring chances, and won 15 duels, report FotMob, who graded his performance 8.8 out of 10.
The plaudits did not end there. Pellistri’s performance was lauded by the press back in Uruguay, and Spain where he plays for Alaves.
Pellistri emerges as a star
This was the biggest moment of Pellistri’s career so far other than simply signing with Manchester United.
Diario El Pais wrote: “The emergence of Facundo Pellistri was enormous in the great match for Uruguay, as enormous as the success of [manager] Diego Alonso, who despite the attacker’s numbers at Deportivo Alavés, bet on him and the player did not disappoint. He was one of the great figures.”
Marca compared his jinking run for the assist to Lionel Messi, with a headline, ‘Pellistri dresses up as Messi for Uruguay’.
Their report read: “The Uruguayan player showed his enormous class in a ‘messianic’ play in which he carried out a superb run between several opponents.”
Argentine newspaper Ole praised his composure, writing: “In a super hot game with a lot of tension, the 20-year-old boy, one of the greatest promises of the Uruguayan team, did not care about the context.”
Newspaper AS also praised his performance: “For many he is a cold and intermittent player, but his contribution against the Venezuelans was stunning. The Alavés footballer was a nuisance on the right wing.”
Pellistri’s success somewhat reassures United fans that the club did sign a very promising young player, despite his lack of impact at Alaves.
We wrote this week that United have really let Pellistri down by leaving him there, and could even have brought him back to strengthen options at right-wing. Perhaps at the very least, this performance will spur him on and ignite his loan spell.
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