The Uruguayan Clausura began this weekend with plenty of goals in the seven games, with the pick of the games between Nacional and River Plate. Peñarol and Bella Vista will begin their league campaigns at a later date after their game was postponed in order for Peñarol to be given more time to prepare for their Copa Libertadores clash with Atlético Nacional this week.
Cerrito and Cerro kicked things off by sharing five goals between them, though unfortunately for home fans four of them were scored by the visitors. Luis Machado scored twice in the first 11 minutes to put Cerro in complete control of the game, before Andrés Ravecca scored a third after half time. Fabrizio Ronchetti pulled one back midway through the second period for Cerrito, but the three goal cushion was restored in the 89th minute through Gustavo Mastriani.
Montevideo Wanderers shared the points with Danubio as they drew 1-1 in an intense match, with Sergio Blanco scoring a late equaliser to cancel out Diego Perrone's opener, and Rentistas and Cerro Largo also played out a 1-1 draw on Saturday in a result that does either side few favours as they battle to avoid going straight back down to the second division.
Pablo Pereira scored either side of half time for El Tanque Sisley as they came away with a 2-0 win at Fénix, while Liverpool overcame Racing Club 2-1. Diego Vera put the hosts ahead after four minutes before scoring a header seven minutes later to give them a control of the game that they never looked like relinquishing. Although Cristian Ortiz pulled one back 10 minutes from time, Liverpool held on for the three points.
Defensor Sporting followed up their win against Deportivo Quito in the Copa Libertadores in midweek with a 2-0 win against Rampla Juniors. Following a 30 minute delay to the kick-off, including a kit clash between the two goalkeepers, Maximiliano Callorda gave the Violeta the lead before Defensor made sure of the points in the second half when Federico Pintos finished past Lucero Alvarez.
Nacional rounded off the weekend's action with a 3-2 win at home to River Plate, though River can count themselves unfortunate that they did not come away with a point from the game. Alexander Medina put Nacional ahead after seven minutes to stake his place for a more regular starting position, before Tabaré Viudez doubled the lead after half an hour, but an error from goalkeeper Leonardo Burian allowed Pablo Olivera's cross to sneak in and make it 2-1. Just a minute later River claimed handball by Alexis Rollin in the penalty area, but the referee waved play on. Instead, two minutes from time, Nacional won a penalty for a foul on Viudez, converted by Matías Cabrera. Although Maureen Franco scored an excellent free kick in injury time, it only served as a consolation goal.
Week 1 Results
Cerrito 1-4 Cerro
Fénix 0-2 El Tanque Sisley
Liverpool 2-1 Racing Club
Montevideo Wanderers 1-1 Danubio
Nacional 3-2 River Plate
Rampla Juniors 0-2 Defensor Sporting
Rentistas 1-1 Cerro Largo
