Argentina chokes and Lionel Messi strangles someone as the reigning World Cup champions fall 2-0 to Uruguay… while La Albiceleste captain puts his hands on a rival’s throat

Lionel Messi could not help Argentina extend its unbeaten run since the World Cup title and was seen wrapping his hands around an opponent’s throat in a fit of anger.

Uruguay defeated Argentina 2-0 at La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires on Thursday in a World Cup qualifier, their biggest win yet under new coach Marcelo Bielsa.

At one point in the match, Lionel Messi was seen putting his hands on the throat of Uruguay defender Mathias Olivera.

Argentina had not lost a competitive match since its group stage opener against Saudi Arabia at last year’s World Cup in Qatar. It had not lost at home since losing 1-0 to Paraguay in 2016, including during World Cup qualifying. La Bombonera has not lost since the 3-1 defeat to Germany in a friendly in 1977.

Argentina still leads the 10-team South American qualifying group with 12 points from five matches. Uruguay is second with 10 points. Colombia has nine and Venezuela eight.

Argentina lost 2–0 to their rivals – their first defeat in La Bombonera since a 1977 friendly

Brazil, in fifth place with seven points, will host the World Cup champions at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Ecuador, Paraguay and Chile each have five points. Bolivia has three and Peru one.

Uruguay was aggressive against the World Cup champions from the start. Darwin Núnez almost opened the scoring with a crossed shot in the 10th minute after a mistake by defender Nicolás Otamendi.

For the first time since Argentina’s World Cup title, coach Lionel Scaloni appeared nervous as his midfielders struggled to block Uruguay’s wingers.

His players did not heed the call and their penalty came in the 42nd minute, when Matias Viña easily stole the ball from Nahuel Molina and gently sent a low cross into the penalty area. Ronald Araújo hit the ball into the back of the net.

Argentina came close to an equalizer after Messi’s free kick and Otamendi’s close-range shot, forcing goalkeeper Sergio Rochet to make an important save towards the end of the first half.

After the break, Uruguay kept the pressure on Argentina, who again relied on Messi and substitute Angel di Maria to find the best chances. Messi hit the crossbar with a free kick in the 57th minute.

Núnez scored on a counter in the 87th minute after the Uruguayan defense stopped Messi at the edge of his penalty area.

“We never felt comfortable in this match,” Messi said. “Uruguay is a physical team, they have good teamwork. It’s always like that to them.’

Ronald Araujo scored first and it was Darwin Nunez (above) who scored the crucial second goal

It is a crucial win for Marcelo Bielsa and Uruguay as they sit second in the qualifying table

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said Bielsa’s men were better tonight

Scaloni said Uruguay played better.

“We can’t think that because we are world champions we will never lose again,” Scaloni said. “We are not unbeatable, I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it.”

Messi’s close friend Luis Suárez, who just returned to the Uruguayan national team, did not play.

In the previous round of World Cup qualifying, Uruguay defeated Brazil by the same score in Montevideo. The next match will be against Bolivia.