Bentancur captains Uruguay for 90 minutes in win over Argentina ahead of Ipswich
Rodrigo Bentancur captained Uruguay for the full match as they beat Argentina 2-1 at La Bombonera, days after sitting on the bench at Leeds. It is a useful sign for a thin Spurs midfield, but he still has a second friendly to play before Ipswich visit.
Rodrigo Bentancur went from the bench at Elland Road to the armband at La Bombonera. The Spurs midfielder led Uruguay out in Buenos Aires on Friday night and lasted the full match in a 2-1 friendly victory over Argentina.
It was not a gentle run-out. Argentina were on top in a goalless first half. Uruguay struck three minutes after the restart, when Balerdi turned the ball into his own net. Araujo added a second five minutes later. Álvarez pulled one back with 17 minutes left, according to ESPN’s match report.
The result carried weight beyond the scoreline. It was Argentina’s first match since Lionel Messi retired from international football in early October. It also came in the same week Lionel Scaloni signed an extension keeping him in charge until 2030. For Uruguay, it was a third win under their new head coach, Diego Forlán.
Bentancur anchored Uruguay’s midfield alongside Torreira
Forlán set his side up in a 4-2-3-1. Bentancur sat beside Lucas Torreira in the two deeper midfield roles. The crowd around them was thin, with La Bombonera reported by GOAL to be half empty.
For Spurs, the 90 minutes matter. Bentancur had only just served his suspension. He was available again for the trip to Leeds on 7 November but was left among the substitutes. Tonali, Fernandes and Gray started in midfield instead.
For Spurs, the trip to Yorkshire ended in disappointment. Substitute Noah Okafor scored in the 79th minute to settle the game. It was Spurs’ first Premier League defeat in five matches. Mathys Tel was also forced off a few minutes after a challenge from Jayden Bogle that VAR looked at and did not punish.
Uruguay’s Tuesday fixture comes four days before Ipswich
Midfield cover was already stretched before the break. Ahead of the Leeds game, De Zerbi said Lucas Bergvall and Savio were still unavailable. A Bentancur who has come through a full international match as captain gives De Zerbi another option in the middle of the pitch.
The schedule is the catch. Uruguay’s second friendly of this international break is at home to the Dominican Republic on Tuesday 17 November. After that, Bentancur faces the journey back from South America. Spurs then host Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Saturday 21 November, with a 3pm kick-off.
