Argentina vs Uruguay: Lionel Messi 'Elbows' Mathias Olivera in Heated World Cup Qualifier Match

• Argentina's 2026 World Cup qualifier against Uruguay had incidents of mayhem
• Lionel Messi seemingly elbowed Napoli defender Mathias Olivera in the first half
• Uruguay is now the first team to score against Argentina since the World Cup final

Uruguay's visit to the La Bombonera to face Argentina in the race to qualify for the 2026 World Cup threatened to generate into chaos, with both sets of players nearly coming to blows.

Heading into the game, the world champions led the South America standings, having won all their opening four games, while Uruguay were a distant second with seven points.

Argentina have only tasted defeat once in over 50 matches, which came surprisingly against Saudi Arabia in Qatar.

The match started with the home side honouring Lionel Messi and Emilianzo Martinez for their recent wins at the 2023 Ballon d'Or awards. The former won a record-extending eight title while Emi bagged the Yachine Trophy for the best goalkeeper.

Lewandowski rescues Barca and ends drought with Alaves double

Football

Did Messi elbow Mathias Olivera?

Just 19 minutes into the game, both sets of players confronted each other, with Messi appearing to plant his elbow on Mathias Olivera's chest in the heat of the moment.

The Napoli defender did not make much of the incident, with Messi seemingly getting away with one.

Minutes later, Enzo Fernandez and Rodrigo De Paul were also involved with Manuel Ugarte. Ugarte was spotted performing a lewd gesture after Fernandez shoved him away.

Marcelo Bielsa's men took the lead in the 40th minute after some brilliant work by Matias Vina down the left flank was turned in by Ronaldo Araujo. It was the first goal La Albiceleste had conceded since the Kylian Mbappe hat-trick in the World Cup final.

Darwin Nunez added a second goal three minutes from time after a blistering counter-attack left the Liverpool forward in a one-on-one position with Martinez, to condemn Argentina to only a second defeat in four years.

Garcia on the brink at floundering Napoli, Rome derby stalemate

Football

Messi trains with Pablo Aimar

Earlier, Sports Brief had reported on Lionel Messi spotted going through an Argentina training session alongside one of his childhood idols, Pablo Aimar.

The veteran forward has often spoken fondly of how Aimar inspired Messi as a youth before he went on to become the world-beating superstar he is today.