Darwin Núnez showed in Uruguay something he has not done at Liverpool

The preparation is over. Diego Alonso's Uruguay played and beat Canada in Bratislava (Slovakia) in their last friendly before the World Cup. Without Araújo, who is on his way to Finland for surgery and who, barring a major miracle, will not be in Qatar. One of the best players was Darwin Núñez, who showed that his real level is not what he has shown with Liverpool at the start of the season.

This last friendly has to be read in World Cup terms. Coach Diego Alonso opted for the Tottenham duo Fede Valverde-Rodrigo Bentancur in the middle. The tidiness of both is undeniable, but left the Real Madrid player too far from the opposing goal, with no influence in attack. This affected Núñez in the first few minutes as he had to come out of the box to carry the ball.

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On the right flank he opted for Agustín Canobbio, a Copa Libertadores finalist with Brazilian side Paranaense. He was mobile, with pace, and was an interesting figure. On the left, Nico de la Cruz played. He was the best figure of the sky-blue team. He scored the opener from a free kick and then was a permanent reference in attack. Responsibility with the ball, axis of the team. He became a firm candidate to start the World Cup opener on 24 November against South Korea.

Up front, the Luis Suárez-Darwin Nuñez pairing was repeated, but with the latter in a more central position. Suarez was always more of an assist than a finisher, setting up the Liverpool player. It was precisely from Luis' cross that Darwin's goal was born, with a great header. Both will surely be in the starting line-up for the World Cup opener.

<strong>Darwin Núñez regained his confidence </strong>

The biggest doubts were at the back. The two Cáceres, Martín of the Los Angeles Galaxy and Sebastián, of the Mexican América, played at centre back. But at the World Cup, Josema Giménez and Sebastián Coates will probably play, in the absence of Araújo and all the uncertainty of Godín. At full-back, Mathias Olivera of Napoli started and will start. On the right was Guillermo Varela, a possible World Cup starter.