Marcelo Bielsa made his return to competitive management for the first time since his Leeds United exit in February 2022.
After being appointed as Uruguay’s manager earlier this year, Bielsa took charge of two friendlies during his first international break in the dugout back in June.
However, Friday night represented his first competitive fixture as Uruguay boss in their opening qualification game for the 2026 World Cup in USA, Mexico and Canada.
Bielsa was facing his former side Chile, who are always among the tougher sides to face in the South American qualifiers.
However, they were no problem for Bielsa’s Uruguay as they swept Chile aside with a brilliant performance in what is the beginning of a new era for the nation with no Luis Suarez or Edinson Cavani.
Bielsa returns to competitive management with Uruguay
Nicolas de la Cruz was the star of the show for Uruguay as they defeated Chile 3-1 at the Estadio Centenario, with the midfielder scoring twice and assisting once.
De la Cruz opened the scoring in prime Bielsa-ball fashion as finished off a move that saw Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez providing the assist.
Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde then double Uruguay’s lead on the brink of half time, with de la Cruz netting his second with 19 minutes to play.
Arturo Vidal did net a consolation just a few moments later but Bielsa will no doubt be delighted with his side’s display on his return to management.
Bielsa’s last competitive game was at Elland Road in February 2022 as Leeds were beaten 4-0 by Tottenham Hotspur, which brought his three-and-a-half-year spell at the club to an end.
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