- Darwin Nunez had a difficult run of form to end the season at Liverpool
- The striker scored a hat-trick as Uruguay defeated Mexico 4-0 in a friendly match
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Darwin Nunez returned to form to score a hat-trick for Uruguay, who defeated Mexico 4–0.
Nunez, 24, endured a difficult end to the season for Liverpool as he scored just once in their last 11 league games amid rumors of a falling out with outgoing boss Jurgen Klopp.
However, he put in an inspired performance for Uruguay on Wednesday evening as Marcelo Bielsa’s side stepped up their preparation for this summer’s Copa America.
Nunez took on Mexico in Denver in a pre-tournament friendly and opened the scoring after seven minutes when he reacted quickest by poking home after a scramble in the penalty area.
Man United winger Facundo Pellistri scored two soon afterwards, before Nunez connected with Maximiliano Araujo to put his side 3-0 ahead before half-time.
Darwin Nunez (left) made an emphatic return to form as he scored a hat-trick against Mexico
Nunez (second from right) scored three times as Uruguay defeated Mexico 4-0 in a friendly
It comes after the striker endured a difficult end to the season in England with Liverpool
Nunez then tapped in Pellistri’s cross to complete his hat-trick in the 49th minute and was soon replaced by Facundo Torres.
The striker’s treble also resulted in eight goals in his last five caps for Uruguay.
“I’m very happy with the result because the team worked very well,” Nunez said after the match.
‘For us it was not a friendly match, we came here with the mentality to play a good match and win it’
Their latest victory comes amid a rejuvenation for Uruguay since former Leeds boss Bielsa took over as manager in May 2023.
The Sky Blues suffered an embarrassing group stage exit at the 2022 World Cup, but they have won eight of 12 games under Bielsa and are tipped as dark horses for the Copa America.
Nunez put in a stunning performance, while Man United winger Facundo Pellitri also impressed
Uruguay has been rejuvenated since former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa took over in May 2023
Despite the resounding victory, Bielsa remained modest after the match: ‘The result was misleading in the first half, Mexico could have scored and the match would have been different.
‘If the holes in the field are big, it is easier to play well.’
Nunez has now scored 11 goals in 23 appearances for his country and will next be in action when this summer’s tournament gets underway.
Uruguay is placed in group C, alongside hosts the US, Panama and Bolivia.