8:58 pm. The opening notes of Uruguay’s national anthem float from the speakers and down to the pitch, ushered around the stadium by a balmy Miami breeze. For a brief moment, amid the adrenaline of a tournament opener, there is a distinct feeling of calm.
But then the camera cuts to Darwin Nunez — hair freshly braided, staring straight ahead, pupils wide — quietly plotting a riot.
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Something about his appearance before Uruguay’s 3-1 victory over Panama last night foretold the chaos ahead. Something about football more generally just seems to get this man riled up.
But for his country, operating at the top of Marcelo Bielsa’s full-throttle team, that emotion, however raw and unpredictable, is exactly what they need.
Even if he misses three, four or five, Nunez’s unrivalled ability to generate shots funnels all of Uruguay’s hard running towards the opposition goal. That attitude can only be good news for the neutral.
Flashpoint number one of the Darwin Nunez show came from almost nothing.
After a frantic opening 10 minutes, right-back Nahitan Nandez receives a pass from Ronald Araujo and ambles forward. After a quick glance up, he spots Nunez tearing into the gap between two centre-backs and curls the ball into the striker’s path.
Bielsa likes his team to attack quickly with direct passes in behind, and Nunez’s physicality, positivity and pace make him an almost constant target for such balls. He latches onto the pass, nicks the ball around onrushing goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera, and throws himself to the ground.
No penalty, but a clear warning that his relentless running can exploit the space.
Without touching the ball, Nunez then plays a clever part in Uruguay’s opening goal. He lets a pass run through his legs before spinning into space.
Nunez’s movement pulls defender Edgardo Farina away from his team-mate Maximiliano Araujo, who has time and space to pick his spot, before sending a looping shot into the far corner.
Then came the shots. He averaged 4.7 per game last season for Liverpool — more than any other player in the Premier League — and racked up five against Panama, ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous.
His first, a snapshot on 18 minutes, was a powerful effort from the edge of the box batted away by the goalkeeper. The second, barely 10 minutes later, should have been his maiden Copa America goal.
Again hanging on the shoulder of the last defender, Nunez’s elusive movement and line-leading running create the chance.
Soon after, he is spared his blushes by the offside flag.
… while his first touch of the second half also saw him spurn another golden opportunity…
… but as always, the 25-year-old continued to plug away.
“I might miss five or 10 (chances), but I’m going to try 11 times,” he told the media after the game, “nothing is ever going to come of anything if I give up.”
His goal, an instinctive volleyed finish as the game moved toward full time, was just reward for his persistence on a night when nothing seemed to go his way. He now has nine goals and two assists in eight starts since Bielsa took charge of the national team.
Panama were unable to punish his wastefulness, and Nunez may not be so fortunate in games to come — but with sheer quantity, the quality generally arrives.
Regardless of opposition, the marriage of Nunez’s unique skill set and Bielsa’s rip-roaring game will always see the striker benefit from a steady stream of service.
Against Argentina back in November, Nunez’s goal came from a ruthless counter-attack after a resolute defensive display. Last night, as Uruguay pressed high and smothered Panama in possession, Nunez was always on hand to make a run into the box whenever his team regained the ball in the final third.
Although he only had 32 touches — the fewest of any player to start the game — nine of those came inside the penalty area; the joint-most in the tournament, alongside Lionel Messi.
It was exactly the kind of performance we have come to expect from Nunez: dynamic, dangerous, and predictable in its unpredictability.
Brace yourselves, Bolivia.
(Top photo: Megan Briggs/Getty Images)