Nacional couldn't beat Juventud and was conditioned
The Clausura Tournament experienced one of its most intense matches of the season so far. At Parque Artigas in Las Piedras, Nacional was held to a goalless draw against Juventud, dropping two key points in the title race.
During the match, the tricolor (Spanish national team) challenged three controversial incidents. The first occurred in the 8th minute, when Maxi Gómez went down in the box. Former referee Claudia Umpiérrez argued that a penalty wasn't appropriate because the contact was minor and accidental. However, she believed the VAR should have reviewed the incident more closely.
The second appeal came in the 75th minute , when Millán was held inside the box by a Juventud defender. The referee ruled it a struggle, but Umpiérrez maintained that the hold was obvious and that VAR should have intervened. Finally, in the 84th minute, Carneiro went down in the box after a normal game-related challenge , without a foul.
Beyond the controversy, Nacional enjoyed periods of dominance and constantly looked to cross to Maxi Gómez, although they lacked effectiveness. Coach Álvaro Recoba insisted that his team must improve their finishing to avoid further losing ground in the table.
Peñarol reacted and maintains its championship lead.
Peñarol, meanwhile, faced Cerro Largo at the Estadio Centenario. The match started off on an uphill climb for the black and gold team, which suffered from their opponent's high pressure. Twenty minutes in, a goal by Peñarol was ruled offside, but VAR reviewed the play and upheld it after detecting that a black and gold defender had enabled the play.
Far from collapsing, Diego Aguirre's team showed character in the second half. In the 55th minute, Silvera made it 2-1 after a disputed play in which Cerro Largo claimed a foul in the buildup. Umpiérrez explained that there was no infraction because the ball had been loose and the action was normal.
With Dawson in goal and Silvera as the offensive star, Peñarol secured a 3-1 victory that allows them to remain at the top of the Clausura Tournament. For Aguirre, the squad's reaction was a positive sign heading into the championship's finale .
Repercussions and what's next in the Clausura Tournament
The ninth round of the Clausura Tournament left a clear outcome: Peñarol extended its lead over second-placed teams, while Nacional is forced to add points in the next round if it wants to stay in the race. In terms of numbers, the black and gold team leads by three points, but the annual standings and qualification for international cups are also in play.
In football terms, the Clausura showcases two realities: a Peñarol team that found decisiveness in the decisive moments, and a Nacional team that suffers from a lack of goals. The fans made themselves heard: optimism in the black and gold stands, criticism and concern in the tricolor.
The final round of the championship promises to be a thrilling one. Each point could determine not only the title, but also the Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana spots. In this scenario, refereeing controversies and the role of VAR will continue to be part of the conversation in Uruguayan football.
Fan perspective and the final stretch of the championship
The Clausura Tournament isn't just played on the field, it's also played out in the passion of the fans. On buses, in street vendors, or in neighborhood cafes, people talk about what happened in the ninth round. Many agree that the final match will be a head-to-head between Peñarol and Nacional, although others point out that the teams from the interior can still pull off an unexpected upset. With several rounds remaining, expectations are high, and the Clausura promises a close as hard-fought as it is unforgettable.
