In a thrilling World Cup qualifier, Uruguay's Manuel Ugarte scores a remarkable 101st-minute winner against Colombia, breaking a four-match winless streak and lifting his team into second place in the standings.
In a stunning twist, Manchester United's Manuel Ugarte scored a remarkable winner in the 101st minute, securing a vital 3-2 victory for Uruguay against Colombia in the South American World Cup qualifiers. The 23-year-old midfielder, who has become an essential player for Uruguay since joining from Sporting CP, clinched the goal in the final moments of stoppage time, breaking a disappointing four-match winless streak for his team. This marked Ugarte's first goal for his country in 27 appearances, a crucial achievement that propelled his team into second place in the 2026 World Cup qualifying standings, just three points behind Argentina.
The match unfolded with thrilling high drama, starting with Colombia taking an early lead thanks to a superb free-kick by Juan Quintero. Nevertheless, Uruguay struck back in the second half, scoring two rapid goals within a span of just three minutes. The first was an unfortunate own goal by Colombia's Davinson Sanchez, followed by a calm finish from Rodrigo Aguirre, putting Uruguay in control. Despite this shift in momentum, it appeared that Uruguay would face yet another disappointment when Colombia equalized in the sixth minute of stoppage time with a goal from substitute Andres Gomez.
Gomez's goal, which passed a tense VAR review, briefly appeared to extinguish Uruguay's chances of claiming all three points. After an extended examination, play resumed only in the 100th minute, leaving minimal time for a reply. Yet, as the seconds dwindled, Ugarte produced a moment of brilliance, effortlessly sliding the ball into the net from the edge of the box, causing the Uruguay fans to erupt in celebration.
In his post-match comments, Uruguay's head coach Marcelo Bielsa referred to the win as a significant emotional uplift, emphasizing the importance of a victory that would restore confidence for both the team and its supporters. 'Victories like today are healing because they unite everyone involved in such a powerful sentiment, especially since in Uruguay, we cherish our national team,' Bielsa stated. “It was crucial for us to secure another win. No matter how it came about, which was incredibly thrilling, it was a much-needed triumph. We are moving in the right direction.”
This victory has provided Uruguay with essential momentum in their qualifying journey, and although the path to the 2026 World Cup is still lengthy and difficult, Ugarte’s thrilling last-minute goal has undoubtedly instilled a renewed sense of confidence that will propel them forward. With their focus now directed towards Argentina ahead, Uruguay aims to capitalize on this crucial win, aware that with players like Ugarte, they possess the capability to reach even greater heights.
