Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte appears to call Rodrigo De Paul 'Lionel Messi's c**k sucker' in fiery World Cup qualifier, as Argentina suffer their first defeat since lifting the World Cup

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Argentina suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat by Uruguay in World Cup qualifying
Manuel Ugarte was seen making an obscene gesture towards Rodrigo De Paul
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By Michael Pavitt For Mailonline

Published: 09:12 GMT, 17 November 2023 | Updated: 11:33 GMT, 17 November 2023

Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte made an obscene gesture towards Rodrigo De Paul during an ill-tempered World Cup qualifier on Thursday night as Argentina suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat.

In the first half of the clash in Buenos Aires, Ugarte got into an exchange with De Paul where he appeared to call him 'Lionel Messi's c**k sucker'.

The gesture drew an angry reaction from De Paul, and it was not the only time that tempers threatened to boil over, as Messi had to be held back after putting his hands on the throat of Mathias Olivera.

Goals from Ronaldo Aruajo and Liverpool's Darwin Nunez handed Argentina their first defeat since lifting the World Cup last December, but Messi was in no mood to congratulate their opponents afterwards.

Instead, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner called for Uruguay's players to 'learn respect' following the fiery encounter.

Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte was seen making an obscene gesture to Rodrigo de Paul

Messi had avoided being sent off for putting his hands around the throat of Mathias Olivera

Messi claimed post-match that Uruguay needed to learn respect after the bad tempered clash

Ronald Araujo and Darwin Nunez struck for Uruguay as Marcelo Bielsa's side upset the hosts in Buenos Aires.

'These kinds of games, qualifiers, against Uruguay, it's always like that,' Messi told reporters.

'I prefer not to say what I think. Young people have to learn to respect their elders.

'These games are always intense but very respectful, so they have to learn a little.'

The defeat was Argentina's first at home since losing 1-0 to Paraguay in 2016, also during World Cup qualifying.

Lionel Messi and Argentina saw their unbeaten run ended up Uruguay in a bad-tempered game

Argentina lost 2-0 to their rivals - their first loss at La Bombonera since a 1977 friendly

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez was on target for Uruguay in a memorable win over Argentina

Argentina had not lost at La Bombonera since a 3-1 loss to Germany in a friendly in 1977.

The world champions remain top of the World Cup qualifying standings in South America, with 12 points from five matches.

Uruguay moved up to second following their victory with Bielsa's side on 10 points, followed by Colombia and Venezuela on nine and eight, respectively.

Argentina will travel to face arch-rivals Brazil on November 21, with the hosts having suffered successive defeats to lie fifth in the standings.