Argentina were forced to relocate for their home clash against Uruguay in World Cup qualifying after a string of Taylor Swift shows.
Swift has performed three shows in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires over the last week – November 8, 11 and 12 – using River Plate’s Estadio Mas Monumental as her venue for each show.
The American superstar’s worldwide ‘Eras Tour’ is entering its final stages, with Argentina the first of three South American legs that will also take her to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, both in Brazil.
However, although she finished her final show in Argentina some five days ago, the pitch had not recovered in time, and the world champions instead played at La Bombonera.
Unlike most nations, the Albiceleste don’t have their own home stadium as such, but more often than not use the 86,000-seat Estadio Mas Monumental for home clashes.
Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’ shows in Buenos Aires precipitated a change in venue for Argentina
The pitch was left scarred by Swift’s shows, which took place on November 9, 11 and 12
Despite the issues caused by Swift’s tour, though, the Argentine Football Federation (AFA) appear to have been planning for such a situation, having announced the game’s change of venue in late October.
It was nothing new for the hosts, who have played at La Bombonera before, and although they had not left Estadio Mas Monumental for their qualifying campaign before, took on Curacao in friendly at the Estadio Madre de Cuidades in the country’s north earlier this year.
But perhaps not even in their wildest dreams did Argentina expect that a change of scene could result in Lionel Scaloni’s side losing their unbeaten record in CONMEBOL qualifying for the World Cup.
It ended 2-0 to Uruguay – rather than a 2-2 draw that perhaps would have rubbed some ironic salt into the wound for Argentina – after goals from Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo and Liverpool frontman Darwin Nunez.
In a fiercely-contested clash between rivals with seven cards dished out across the two sides.
Victory took the visitors up to second in the group ahead of Venezuela and Brazil, two points behind Argentina.
Next up for Scaloni’s side is a tussle with old rivals Brazil on the road, with the world champions looking to get back to winning ways to keep ahold of their No 1 spot ahead of match seven.
Source : Daily Mail
