The game between Uruguay and Panama was a difficult challenge for Liverpool star Darwin Núñez. The 24-year-old, however, relax after scoring a goal late in the game to end the game for the South American team.
Núñez would score in the 85th minute to earn Uruguay all three points even though he would have to contend with the best of Central American side attempts.
With Maximiliano Araujo, Nunez and Matias Vina on target for the Uruguayans, who ran 3-1 winners, Michael Amir Murillo netted for Panama.
Liverpool star Nunez spent the whole ninety minutes with El Observador waxing lyrical over his whole national performance.
Giving the striker an eight out of ten match rating, the publication noted: “Darwin’s first half performance was outstanding.
“At eleven minutes he insisted on a penalty, which was not applicable. After clearing two marks, he finished from outside the area at 17 minutes and Orlando Mosquera stopped the goal from dropping.
“A one-on-one with the custodian lost a goal after 28 minutes. She visited all of them. He took on leadership of the attack.
“He scored the goal after 84 minutes and received the reward he so well earned all through the game. He created 2-0.
El Observador added: The intensity that Nunez brought to each of his interventions in attack and what Vina played marked the two highest points for Uruguay in the first half.”
But fellow publication FutbolUy certainly didn’t view the performance like that, noting: “He scored the goal that closed the game and gave Uruguay peace of mind.
“On a general level, he did not complete a good performance. He lost confidence as the minutes passed and wasted several very clear goal situations.
“He is ineffective and insecure in making decisions. In the complement, he left the area a lot to make contact with the ball.”
Nunez’s latest display for his national team perhaps summarises his time at Liverpool so far, with many fans still undecided over his ability.
The attacker has proven that he knows how to find the back of the net for the Reds, but he has also proven his lack of prowess in the box on several occasions.