Uruguay vs India Player Ratings: Cardozo makes debut blunder; Nunez, Araujo impress

La Celeste secured a solid win in Kolkata.

The Uruguay national football team secured a solid 6-1 win over India in an international friendly fixture at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

The visitors took the lead in just the 11th minute from the spot. Pramveer Singh’s rash challenge caught Federico Vinas in the box, and the referee awarded a penalty. Darwin Nunez made no mistake from 12 yards out, sending Gurpreet Singh Sandhu the wrong way.

Ryan Williams led India’s fightback, and his shot was spilled by Thiago Cardozo. Anirudh Thapa got to the end of the rebound. He rolled the ball into an empty net, levelling the scores.

The match was temporarily halted due to lightning strikes. La Celeste took the lead soon after the restart. The ball was played to Nahitan Nandez on the right. His pinpoint cross was turned in by Maximiliano Araujo.

The visitors gained control of the match. Nunez headed the ball back to Rodrigo Zalazar, whose shot beat Gurpreet at the near post and increased Uruguay’s lead. Araujo then scored his second goal of the night in the 59th minute.

Juan Sanabria then scored the fifth goal in the 71st minute after a deflected cross from Facundo Pellistri. Rodrigo Guillerme scored in the 86th minute to secure a fine result for the visitors.

Also Read: WATCH: Anirudh Thapa’s screaming equaliser for India against Uruguay

Uruguay player ratings vs India

Thiago Cardozo: 5.5/10

It was an international debut for 30-year-old Cardozo, and it could not have gone worse for the on-loan Belgrano goalkeeper. He had very little to do in the first half. When the keeper faced a powerful shot from Ryan Williams, he inexplicably spilled it from his grasp.

This led to Thapa equalising for the hosts. He made a couple of regulation saves throughout the game and was also decent in claiming the high balls. He did make a good diving save to deny Mohammed Sanan.

Nahitan Nandez: 7/10

Although a central midfielder, Nandez was deployed at right-back by Diego Forlan. The Al-Qadsiah veteran put in a solid performance, going forward at every opportunity presented to him. He created a big chance in the first half with a perfect cross that was converted by Maximiliano Araujo.

Santiago Mourino: 7/10

Despite his relative inexperience at the top level, Mourino put in a composed performance in the middle of defence. The Villarreal centre-back had the most touches of any player in the Uruguay team, making several clearances to relieve the early pressure on his side.

Jose Maria Gimenez: 8/10

A captain’s performance from Gimenez, who rolled back the years tonight. The Deportivo La Coruna player was absolutely impenetrable in defence, making last-ditch blocks to neutralise the threat posed by Williams and Ashique Kuruniyan. He was also important in the build-up, playing several long balls towards the forward line.

Joaquin Piquerez: 6.5/10

Piquerez was good going forward, even creating a brilliant chance as well as having a shot that went off target. However, he had a few nervy moments at the back and was dispossessed by Edmund Lalrindika in a dangerous area.

Rodrigo Zalazar: 8.5/10

An absolute attacking masterclass from Zalazar, who was deployed on his preferred right side by Forlan. The Sporting CP man dictated the Uruguayan attack from the flanks and linked up well with the rest of the front line. He created three big chances and had several shots that troubled Gurpreet all night.

Emiliano Martinez: 6.5/10

On a night where the rest of the Uruguayan midfield put in inspired performances, Martinez had a rather forgettable outing in Kolkata. Deployed in a more defensive role by Forlan, Martinez was fine in keeping possession and passing the ball around.

However, he had little to no effect on his team’s attacking moves.

Rodrigo Bentancur: 7/10

Bentancur was at the beating heart of the Uruguayan midfield, being involved in almost every forward move by the visitors. He ventured into the penalty area and linked up well with Darwin Nunez. The former Juventus player also made a couple of defensive contributions to stop Indian attacks.

Maximiliano Araujo: 9.5/10

As perfect a performance as one can expect. Araujo found it difficult to get going during the first half-hour, but looked like a completely different player after the lightning-enforced break. His movements into the box were almost impossible for Anwar Ali and Pramveer to keep track of, resulting in two clinical goals.

Federico Vinas: 8.5/10

Vinas had a brilliant performance in a two-man attack with Nunez. The Toluca forward won the opening penalty that provided the breakthrough for his side. He then created several big chances, utilising his pace and trickery.

More impressive was his relentless perseverance. He assisted Araujo’s second goal at the hour mark.

Darwin Nunez: 9/10

After two goals against South Korea, Nunez kept up his scoring touch tonight. He took a confident penalty early in the first half, completely fooling Gurpreet. He created a couple of chances for his strike partners and set up Zalazar’s goal in the second half with a downward header.

Substitutes

Juan Rodriguez: 6.5/10

Rodriguez replaced Gimenez in the 62nd minute. By that point, Uruguay were in complete control of the fixture. The Cagliari youngster had very little to do after coming on.

Made a couple of defensive contributions and looked generally solid.

Guillermo Varela: 6.5/10

Varela replaced Nandez in the second half. The 33-year-old right-back put in a solid shift down the flanks. He created one chance and was a much more reliable presence in defence.

However, he did not have much to do in that regard.

Facundo Pellistri: 7.5/10

Pellistri came on after the hour mark, replacing Zalazar. The former Manchester United prospect showed signs of why he was considered the next big thing at Old Trafford. His deflected cross was converted by Sanabria.

He also set up Aguirre’s goal, although the credit for that will go to the scorer.

Juan Sanabria: 7.5/10

Sanabria scored eight minutes after coming on, poking in the ball from close range after being teed up by a deflected cross from Pellistri. It was a poacher’s goal from the Real Salt Lake forward, who made an immediate impact from the bench.

Facundo Bernal: 6.5/10

Replacing Bentancur, Bernal played in a slightly deeper role to ensure that India could not mount a late comeback in the match. The Real Betis midfielder used all his experience to cut off all passing channels through the middle, effectively choking out the Indian attack.

Lucas Torreira: 7/10

Torreira’s introduction at half-time was a game-changing move from Forlan. He controlled the midfield, creating a big chance as well as putting in key defensive contributions. He even had a rather fanciful shot that went way off target.

Overall, a superb outing from the former Arsenal player.

Rodrigo Aguirre: 7.5/10

Aguirre came on in place of Nunez in the 63rd minute. He did not let the quality drop up top. His 86th-minute strike was a sight to behold, a fantastic strike curling into the far corner.

The Tigres forward has staked a strong claim for a starting spot in the next matches.

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