In the friendly match between Uruguay and Mexico at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, United States, Darwin Núñez scored three goals and was Uruguay’s best player.

“La Pantera” was a problem for the Mexican team because he was an important part of Marcelo Bielsa’s attack from the start, using his speed and skill to find holes in the other team’s defence. Right from the start of the game, a couple of long balls found Araújo and Brian Rodríguez running into open space. The Liverpool forward was always a threat.

In the seventh minute, he scored the first goal, making it 1-0, by connecting with Nández’s low cross. Rangel made a half-save, and then he finished with precision to put the ball in the back of the net. Around the 25th minute, he headed wide Nández’s cross to the far post. Then, in the 44th minute, he came back with a bang, leading a quick defense-to-attack transition where he sent Maximiliano Araújo down the left side of the field and then popping up in the middle to connect with the Toluca winger’s low cross and score for 3-0.

.

.

At the start of the second half, Núñez once again disrupted the opposition when at the 46th minute, he outpaced Víctor Guzmán, finished across the goal, and, after a deflection by Rangel, managed to clear the danger with a crucial save. A couple of minutes later, the Celeste striker was in the six-yard box to tap in the ball after a great play by Pellistri, marking the 4-0 and completing his first hat-trick for the national team.

In addition to his contribution with and without the ball in attack, Darwin was responsible for initiating every defensive action, pressing the opponent’s build-up both on the flanks and when Mexico played out from the back with their goalkeeper.

Displaying himself as an increasingly complete forward, Núñez played a great game against Mexico and heads into the Copa América as Uruguay’s main attacking threat under Bielsa, tallying 8 goals and an assist in his last five matches for the national team.

.