Maximiliano Gomez returns from injury and climbs to the top of Uruguay's scoring charts

Some goals count double: one for the win, one for personal pride. That's exactly what happened to Maximiliano Gomez, whose goal against Cerro Largo not only sealed a 2-0 win for Nacional but also lifted him to the top of the Uruguayan Championship scoring charts.

The forward, born in Paysandu, has now reached 16 goals in the First Division this season, according to the Uruguayan Football Association. That tally puts him level with Argentine forward Alvaro Lopez of Albion, who until now had been alone at the top of the table.

"Thank God it's coming together for me," Gomez said simply, with the kind of matter-of-fact tone of someone who knows hot streaks don't always have an explanation.

And it wasn't an easy road to get here. The forward was coming back from a knee injury suffered in the clasico against Penarol, the kind of blow that sidelines you right when your team needs you most. But he returned in style, scoring twice in just 34 minutes against Defensor Sporting in matchday seven of the 2026 Torneo Clausura. It was a comeback that already hinted something was clicking.

Six days later came the Cerro Largo chapter. Gomez again came on from the bench, again as a substitute, and again had the answer ready: the final 2-0 came off his boot, on a pitch that gave the team anything but an easy time.

I'm very happy to help the team; getting the three points on a very tough pitch is really important; there was a lot of wind, but we got the job done, which was to win. We're working really well with Carreno and we have to keep it up the same way.Maximiliano Gomez

Asked about the specific play behind the goal, which stemmed from a mistake by Cerro Largo goalkeeper Pedro Gonzalez, Gomez was straightforward and even a bit cheeky in describing it.

It fell right to me. Cerro Largo's keeper had the misfortune of leaving the ball for me, and luckily it went in.Maximiliano Gomez

Between the wind that complicated any game plan and a goalkeeper who handed him the ball at just the right moment, the Nacional forward walked away with the best of the afternoon: three points for his team and a share of first place on the scoring table alongside Lopez. Now, with the confidence that comes from returning from injury scoring goals and making an impact off the bench with that kind of efficiency, one question lingers: who's going to knock Gomez off the top now?