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World Cup qualifying: Zalayeta hat-trick lifts Uruguay [Mon Sep 5th, 2005]
Uruguay moved up to fifth position on the table after a dramatic 3-2 victory over direct rivals Colombia at the Estadio Centenario in front of over 60,000 fans.
Juventus striker Marcelo Zalayeta was the hero of the night after scoring a hat-trick that keeps Uruguay in with a chance of qualifying for next year's World Cup.
Colombia started of as the better side as they dominated play and created problems for a shaky Uruguayan defence.
Uruguay came more into the match after the first fifteen minutes and Inter Milan star midfielder Alvaro Recoba began to demonstrate his class, with some good attacking moves.
In the 39th minute Richard Morales won the ball of a Colombian defender in the box, and passed the ball to Recoba who expertly crossed in a ball from the left, and Marcelo Zalayeta headed in at the back post to give Uruguay the lead.
In the second half a determined Uruguay came out looking for a second, and in the 51st minute a speedy Marcelo Zalayeta latched on to a good through-ball by Diego Forlan and slotted home to give Uruguay a two-goal lead.
It seemed that there was only one side on the pitch as Uruguay went looking for their third, while the Colombians just tried to withhold the onslaught.
In the 79th minute Uruguay coach Jorge Fosatti replaced Alvaro Recoba, who received a rapturous reception by the home fans after his magical display. His replacement was fast winger Fabian Estoyanoff, and the change made it clear that Fosatti was hoping that his side would continue the scoring, but the plan backfired less than a minute later.
When it looked like Colombia was out of ideas, and Uruguay would add to their lead Elkin Soto pulled a goal back, after sending a long distance left-footed missile into the right angle of Fabian Carini’s goal.
Just one minute later Soto crossed in from the left and Juan Pablo Angel beat two defenders at the back post and headed in to level the score.
Roared on by a vocal minority at the stadium, the Colombians went looking for the winner, but it was Uruguay that was to have the last laugh.
In the 85th minute substitute Fabian Estoyanoff sent in an inviting cross from the right that Diego Forlan couldn’t reach, but Marcelo Zalayeta was in a perfect position and controlled the ball before slotting it home to complete his hat-trick, and earn Uruguay a tremendous victory.
Uruguay had to play the final four minutes with ten men after Marcelo Sosa was sent off for a violent tackle on Tressor Moreno.
The home side didn’t feel the numerical disadvantage and went looking to liquidate the match, and could have done so if it wasn’t for some superb goalkeeping by Miguel Calero, who reacted well to save efforts from Diego Forlan and man of the match Marcelo Zalayeta.
Lineups:
Uruguay (3) Fabian Carini, Gustavo Varela (Vicente Sanchez 83m), Diego Lopez, Paolo Montero, Guillermo Rodriguez, Diego Perez, Pablo Garcia, Alvaro Recoba (Fabian Estoyanoff 78m), Marcelo Zalayeta, Diego Forlan and Richard Morales (Marcelo Sosa 70m). Coach: Jorge Fosatti.
Colombia (2) Miguel Calero, Andres Orozco, Ivan Cordoba, Luis Perea, Gerardo Bedoya (Franky Oviedo 90m), John Restrepo, Elkin Soto, John Viafara (Fabian Vargas 60m), Tressor Moreno, Luis Rey (Martin Arzuaga 80m) and Juan Pablo Angel. Coach: Reinaldo Rueda.
Goals:
Uruguay-Marcelo Zalayeta (42, 51 and 85 minutes)
Colombia-Elkin Soto (79 minutes), Juan Pablo Angel (80 minutes).
Stadium: Estadio Centenario, Montevideo (Uruguay).
Referee: Horacio Elizondo (Argentina).
Gregory Sica
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