The Monumental: a special place for Luis Suárez

Luis Suárez does not have many precedents playing in Argentina, especially at the Monumental de Núñez, where he has only played three games, but one of them has been crucial in the career of the all-time top scorer of the Uruguayan National Team.

Suárez made his debut with the Celeste in February 2007, starting in October of that year to play in the qualifiers for South Africa 2010. The Uruguayan forward, who played less than two seasons in Nacional's first team since his unofficial debut in August 2004 until his departure to Groningen in the Netherlands in July 2006, started in August 2008 when Uruguay faced Argentina at River's stadium for the ninth round of the qualifiers.

The Argentinian team quickly took a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Lionel Messi (5') and Sergio Agüero (12'), with Diego Lugano scoring a goal for Uruguay in the 39th minute after a low cross from Suárez from the right. The match is remembered for the rough play from both teams, with each side ending with five players cautioned by referee Carlos Torres. One of those who received a yellow card was Suárez for a strong foul on Gabriel Heinze in the 51st minute.

The result Suárez obtained in his second match at the Monumental was not only celebrated, but it also meant the only title he has won so far with the Uruguayan National Team, defeating Paraguay 3-0 in the final of the 2011 Copa America.

Lucho opened the scoring in that decisive match in the eleventh minute and assisted Diego Forlán with a header in the 89th minute, sealing a 3-0 victory that crowned Uruguay as champions. Suárez was chosen as the best player of the tournament and of the final.

Suárez's last match at the Monumental was the qualifier for the 2022 Qatar World Cup against Argentina on October 10, 2021, in the rescheduled fifth round, where the home team won 3-0 with goals from Lionel Messi (37'), Rodrigo de Paul (43'), and Lautaro Martínez (61').

In addition to these three matches, the Salto-born striker has played seven other official games in Argentina, most of them in the 2011 Copa America, where he scored four goals in six matches.

SUÁREZ'S TEN GAMES WITH URUGUAY IN ARGENTINA:

August 11, 2008. South Africa 2010 Qualifiers. Argentina 2 - Uruguay 1. Monumental de Núñez. Suárez started for the Celeste, played 90 minutes, received a yellow card, and provided the assist for Diego Lugano's goal in stoppage time.

July 4, 2011. Copa America. Uruguay 1 - Peru 1. Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan. Suárez started, played 90 minutes, and scored the equalizer in the 45th minute.

July 8, 2011. Copa America. Uruguay 1 - Chile 1. Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza. Suárez started for the Celeste, played 90 minutes, and received a yellow card.

July 12, 2011. Copa America. Uruguay 1 - Mexico 0. Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, La Plata. Suárez started and played 90 minutes.

July 16, 2011. Copa America. Argentina 1 (4) - Uruguay 1 (5). Estadio Brig. Gral. Estanislao López, Santa Fe. Suárez played the full 120 minutes of the match and scored one of the five penalties converted by the Uruguayan team.

July 19, 2011. Copa America. Peru 0 - Uruguay 2. Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, La Plata. Suárez started, scored both goals for Uruguay (52' and 57'), and was substituted in the 70th minute by Abel Hernández.

July 24, 2011. Copa America. Uruguay 3 - Paraguay 0. Monumental de Núñez. Suárez started (played 90 minutes), opened the scoring in the 11th minute, and assisted Diego Forlán for the third goal.

October 12, 2012. Brazil 2014 Qualifiers. Argentina 3 - Uruguay 0. Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza. Suárez started and played the full match.

September 1, 2016. Russia 2018 Qualifiers. Argentina 1 - Uruguay 0. Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza. Suárez started and played 90 minutes.

October 10, 2021. Qatar 2022 Qualifiers. Argentina 3 - Uruguay 0. Monumental de Núñez. Suárez started for the Celeste and played 90 minutes.