On March 22, 2025, Club Nacional faced Plaza Colonia in a highly anticipated match at the Gran Parque Central. This showdown was a crucial encounter in the Torneo Apertura 2025, as Nacional sought to close the gap with the league leaders, Liverpool. The match kicked off at 19:00 local time and promised intense action for fans who were eager to see their team return to home ground.
Nacional arrived at the match with momentum following a narrow 1-0 victory over Racing. Coach Martín Lasarte had announced his squad, which included players like Ignacio Suárez, who was set to start as goalkeeper. Key absences for the team included Luis Mejía and Eduardo Vargas, who were away on international duty. Gabriel Báez and Lucas Villalba also were unavailable, impacting the team's strategy. In a notable change, Franco Catarozzi was making his return to the squad after a hiatus, and Christian Oliva came back following a suspension.
As the game began, the atmosphere was electric, with fans filling the stadium to support Nacional in their homecoming after a ban related to incidents from a previous match. The excitement was palpable, but it quickly stemmed from desolation as the first half unfolded.
Plaza Colonia struck first. In the 18th minute, Diogo de Oliveira scored a well-placed goal, heading the ball past Ignacio Suárez, following an assist from Cristian Ebere. This goal started the match out on a sour note for Nacional, who struggled to establish their rhythm in front of their home crowd.
Despite significant possession, Nacional struggled to convert opportunities into goals. They made several attempts, including a weak shot from Luciano Boggio that was easily handled by Plaza goalkeeper Joaquín Silva, who was becoming increasingly key to his team’s defense. Plaza Colonia utilized quick counter-attacks and held strong in defense, leading to frustration for Nacional's attacking front.
The second half saw Nacional pushed to innovate. Lasarte made strategic substitutions, introducing Rómulo Otero, who added depth to the attack and operated effectively down the flanks. Nevertheless, the team amidst the mounting pressure could not break through Plaza Colonia’s defenses easily.
As the minutes ticked down on the clock, Nacional found their breakthrough in a dramatic come-from-behind effort. In the dying moments of the match, specifically in the 87th minute, Sebastián Coates scored an equalizer, finally achieving what the team desperately sought. This moment was pivotal, with Coates converting a corner kick after a series of commendable saves from Silva, who had thwarted multiple attempts and kept his team in the game.
Ultimately, the match ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving Nacional frustrated but still in contention. The draw meant that Nacional missed a golden opportunity to increase their advantage over Peñarol, who are their arch-rivals and are struggling in this tournament series. Instead of gaining ground, Nacional was left striving to play catch-up in the race for the title, as Liverpool continued to dominate the standings.
Reflecting on the match, Coates would later comment on the team’s efforts, stating, "We should have taken all three points at home but we can build from this performance."
Joaquín Silva’s exceptional play was highlighted by multiple sources; he was described as the standout player on the field, stating, "Nacional’s attempts were thwarted by Silva on numerous occasions, providing a brick-wall performance that denied them victory."0A
With the match concluded, the standings remained tight, and as Nacional prepares to face Liverpool in their next outing, the urgency to perform well is greater than ever. For Nacional fans, the hope is that this draw can be the turning point they need to capitalize on upcoming matches and regain balance in their season ambitions.
