Bielsa Questions Mexico Lineup As Núñez Scores Hat-Trick In Uruguay Rout
Marcelo Bielsa has raised questions about Mexico's approach following Uruguay's dominant 4-0 victory in a friendly match held in Denver. Darwin Nunez was the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick to help Uruguay secure their seventh win in 12 games under Bielsa, with three draws and two defeats.
Uruguay's comprehensive win came against a heavily rotated Mexico side, as head coach Jaime Lozano opted to bench key players like Santiago Gimenez and Alexis Vega. This decision backfired as Uruguay took a commanding 3-0 lead by half-time. Nunez scored twice, and Facundo Pellistri added another goal by converting Brian Rodriguez's cross. Nunez completed his hat-trick shortly after the interval by finishing into an empty net.
After the match, Bielsa suggested that Mexico may have underestimated the importance of the game. "I think a team that is preparing should have taken today's game with maximum power, knowing that they have to play Brazil," said the former Leeds United boss.
Despite the heavy defeat, Bielsa remains optimistic about Mexico's prospects at the Copa America. "It was a deceptive result; in the first half, Mexico could have scored, and it would have been different," he noted. "Don't lose sight of the fact that today there were many important players out of the team, too many. Keeping the stars they had on the field today and adding the players that came on, Mexico will be a very difficult opponent."
Mexico is set to face Brazil in their final pre-tournament friendly on Saturday. They have been drawn in Group B for the Copa America, alongside Ecuador, Venezuela, and Jamaica.
Uruguay will kick off their Copa America campaign against Panama on June 23. They will then face Bolivia four days later before rounding off Group C against the host nation, the United States.
Mexico 0-4 Uruguay featuring a Darwin Nunez hat-trick pic.twitter.com/kxihDqRxb2
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 6, 2024
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