Facundo Pellistri starred as Uruguay secured a memorable World Cup qualifying win over Argentina.
Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay are establishing themselves as a team to watch on the international stage, now securing back-to-back wins over Brazil and Argentina.
Their 2-0 away victory over a Lionel Messi led Argentina side last night made it 63 years since they had beaten both South American powerhouses in the same calendar year.
Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri was a key part of their victory, playing 88 minutes in their impressive win.
Facundo Pellistri praised in Uruguay
The former Penarol winger is a regular starter under Marcelo Bielsa, and showed why last night. He completed four dribbles, more than any player on the pitch.
Uruguayan newspaper El Observador graded his performance as a 9/10, the joint-highest of any player.
Their report noted: “He played a tremendous game because his role transcended the offensive work and became an important piece in the defensive structure, because when Uruguay lost the ball he quickly put pressure on the ball again.
“He was involved in all the risky plays on Emiliano Martinez’s goal.”
ESPN South America picked him out in their report on the match, with their headline reading: “Araujo and Pellistri highlighted Uruguay’s identity to play without fear against Argentina.”
Pellistri was quoted after the game, noting: “The key was in following areas, in being united, compact, and when the ball was recovered, damaging in speed.”
He wrote on Instagram: “One of those nights that stay in the memory.”
Pellistri needs Manchester United chance
This performance and the reaction to it underlines why Facundo Pellistri is deserving of more first team opportunities at Manchester United.
He impresses almost every time he is on the pitch, contributing an assist in Manchester United’s late win over Fulham earlier this month with an impressive 27 minute cameo.
But confusingly, he then did not play a single minute in subsequent games against Copenhagen or Luton Town.
Pellistri has already shown himself to be an impact player, and has a positive work rate which has won over United supporters. Erik ten Hag is less convinced. He has only one Premier League start this season.
Hopefully the winger’s starring role for Uruguay will make Ten Hag sit up and take notice, ahead of a very busy month.
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