VENEZUELA vs URUGUAY | FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 QUALIFIERS

to get in here points of access hard to come by and an awful lot of people Gathering to get through the gates but regardless of that there's a great feel here and much excitement for the game [Applause] ahead and the match day noise at this place is truly special The Pride the passion it adds to a massive sense of [Applause] occasion things have got on the way here pretty promptly who do you think this turns on Jim I would say this guy Ronald arjo you have a real Defenders defender in him Peter and he may not be the best with the ball at his feet but he's very disciplined he's quick he's strong when Strikers get a kick out of scoring a goal he gets a kick out of making a a good tackle that's what he loves defending so keep an eye on that okay interesting no [Applause] yes he's done very well to get to that well you can't ask for much more than that a difficult moment he simply had to deal with Shin he's left his man oh he's enjoyed that he evidently loves the contest Aro nandez tiri tiri that's a promising run he's making on the right treasure stays on it is a corner Val who's short no messing about just bludge in the way de [Applause] Aras side yet able to force a breakthrough here he's felt that hasn't he yeah he's pulled him up for that challenge and surprised that's a booking [Applause] [Applause] look it's a it's a run defenses dislike but the timing has to be spot on that's very neat he can get that clear [Applause] and that has left him in a heap this is what good chemistry is all [Applause] about M's gone that's [Applause] foul there could be trouble here here but for now the referee is keeping his cards in his pocket [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] climbs up [Applause] big fiddles it through can he latch on to this he's got the Sun away decent enough try arasa thinks one through oh great play has a go and he's there to make a great save oh that's a sparkling save absolutely sparkling his reflexes were Ultra Sharp [Applause] they've played it short [Applause] mandez can he finish goal Uruguay first blood drawn he knows he taken a big and very kind deflection but he is claiming it nonetheless [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] deadlock broken it's 1 n yeah and they know there's plenty of work left in this one Peter before they can actually say that the job is over Val does really well to win the ball there nandez t [Applause] stre for valde de [Applause] ariser and the counter is [Applause] on pressings intense and it's play off and here's Rond hits one H in that is remarkable all square in a matter of moments well if ever you want to see a lesson in responding to a deficit that's it their heads didn't drop and now their chins are [Applause] up and that was as close to certain as can be well that defense is perplex by the fact they've allowed him the [Applause] [Applause] space and that has added a whole new complexion to the game oh I think the coach will really be annoyed with that the players were still thinking about their goal and just got caught [Applause] napping it's a throw [Applause] in smoothly does it looks it back passing is crisp and sharp flings in across and he's there to clear [Applause] it head the reprieve will be it perhaps momentary [Applause] showing Good [Applause] Feet looking for the runner tries to get it [Applause] clear and the referee brings the first half to a close a pretty decent watch this and each side has contributed in equal part couple of very good goals for the crowds who enjoy and a game which well for us neutrals this is fantastic if you're a fan from either side it's unpleasant and as for the managers check your heart rate so both teams heading off for the break an interesting game has brewed up here hoping perhaps for a little bit more from both parties in the second half but the score at halime is 1-1 the action has already resumed here Venezuela can feel really happy with themselves the score line doesn't back it up but they've played with urgency and purpose and can't afford to lose patience in this second half they've got to persevere it's everyone's ball now cleared without complication strong running down that Left Flank gets away from his opponents pist Tre to Arosa and that's from behind for a goal kick [Applause] [Applause] out to the right oh that's nice oh it's played into the area Venezuela making a fresh attempt to release someone in behind from back to front and this is something [Applause] different great defending strong and determined and it's Rondon well he's not getting any further than [Applause] that nandez and pist stre nandez looking for option ions for movement aimed in massively [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] he's found the way through place it in low well from experience I can tell you he'll get a lot of stick for getting that one wrong he's had a fair tumble under that challenge that's surely a foul free kick referee has resisted the temptation to go to his pocket it's just a stern lecture [Applause] oh that's fabulous a finish right from the top draw and they've got their lead [Applause] back that was beautiful something close to genius well he made it look effortless clearly a training ground perfection [Applause] [Applause] well this is what we've been waiting for hops for [Applause] safety whatever happens that's the kind of movement which raises hope that is lovely [Applause] spread out to the [Applause] left he is just caressing the ball it's good stop this is better this is a really frontf footed approach well the question now is whether they can sustain it [Applause] and it's play [Applause] forward and it's Rondon oh it's come loose Venezuela really are showing all the necessary urgency but it's potency they [Applause] need oh he's and the shot [Applause] ringcon Rondon excellent challenge there [Applause] uncompromising well there's plenty to like about this approach get your head down keep buttoning away and eventually things might change for [Applause] you it is looking like the end if anything's going to happen it's got to happen now yeah they're really playing in Hope at this point but hope is something you can always cling to keep calm and carry on [Applause] nun great effort beautifully taken oh the technical control was Exquisite the pum of attempt was exasperating moved on forwards I think it's time for them to concentrate on closing this one [Applause] out that's a super give and go oh great defending that needed doing Darwin well they can break here pist he's shifting through the gears here they're avoiding the BL referee looks at his watch and blows his whistle [Applause]