Football
ESPN staff 8y

Edgardo Bauza sweats over Lionel Messi injury, pleased with Argentina win

Argentina's new boss Edgardo Bauza got off to a winning start as his side won 1-0 against Uruguay in their CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier on Thursday night, but Lionel Messi suffered a groin injury.

Messi, who was playing his first game since returning from his brief international retirement, scored the only goal of the game in the 43rd minute, before Paulo Dybala was sent off just before half-time.

However, ahead of Tuesday's away game against Venezuela, Messi is doubtful and Dybala suspended.

"Messi played a great game despite his pain," Bauza said. "He suffered a groin injury and those know how painful that can be. We have to wait to see if Messi can play against Venezuela.

"In the next 48 hours we will know how he is. But we will not risk him. I have two or three options to take his [Dybala] place. But if Messi is OK, we don't need to change our picture."

Messi himself said he was doubtful he'd be able to play.

"I don't know if I can be there. My groin hurts a lot," he told reporters. "It is messed up and it could get worse. I always want to play, but the truth is that the season is just starting and there are a lot of important matches ahead of us. I'll see what the doctor says and go by how I feel."

Argentina managed to hold on for the second half against Uruguay to eke out a hard-fought victory that took them to 14 points and the top of the standings ahead of Uruguay, Colombia and Ecuador who are tied on 13.

"Up until we had 11 players, we dominated the game and with our retention of the ball, we made the difference," Bauza told reporters after the game.

"With a player less, we kept up our play. We just lacked a bit on our counter attack. We won a game that is always difficult. Uruguay are a complicated rival."

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