Darwin Nunez took over Luis Suarez’s No. 9 shirt and starred in his debut for Marcelo Bielsa as Uruguay defeated Chile 3-1 in a World Cup qualifier.
Nunez went into the international break knowing that, with Suarez and Edinson Cavani both missing, he would be Bielsa’s main man.
Prior to their encounter, the famed Uruguay manager, who had previously managed Athletic Club, Marseille, Lille, and Leeds, wanted one-on-one sessions with the Liverpool striker.
“Somethings he thinks can be better,” Nunez said of their Zoom calls last month. “He corrects me.”
The 24-year-old made his debut for his new national team manager on Friday night, and he delivered a superb performance against Chile.
According to FotMob, Nunez only touched the ball 35 times in 73 minutes, completing only eight of his 15 attempted passes, indicating a peripheral night.
But, prior to his substitution midway through the second half, he was pivotal to everything Uruguay did offensively, including two assists.
He had six shots on goal, two of which were saved by Chile goalkeeper Brayan Cortes, was successful with all three of his attempted dribbles (a match-high total), and won five of his six ground duels.
Both of his assists were impressive: the first was a rapid one-two in a tight area that saw Nicolas de la Cruz fire home, while the second saw him beat his marker to the byline and cut back for De la Cruz’s brace.