Liverpool star Darwin Núñez had a challenging contest in the matchup between Uruguay and Panama. However, the 24-year-old can rest easy after scoring a goal late in the match to put the game away for the South American side.
Despite withstanding the best shots from the Central American side, Núñez would score in the 85th minute to give Uruguay all three points.
The Uruguayans ran out 3-1 winners, with Maximiliano Araujo, Nunez and Matias Vina on target for the victors, with Michael Amir Murillo netting for Panama.
Liverpool star Nunez featured for the entire 90 minutes, with El Observador waxing lyrical over his overall display for the nation.
Handing the striker an eight out of 10 match rating, the publication wrote: “Darwin’s performance in the first half was impressive.
“At 11 minutes he demanded a penalty, which did not exist. At 17 minutes, after clearing two marks, he finished from outside the area and Orlando Mosquera prevented the goal from falling.
“At 28 minutes a goal was lost in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. He went to all of them. He assumed the role of leader of the attack.
“At 84 minutes he scored the goal and had the reward that he deserved so much throughout the game. He made it 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.
