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Earlier World Cup appearances: 13
Titles: 2 (1930,1950)
Greatest end: Winners (1930, 1950)
World Cup document: W24 D12 L20
Objectives scored: 87
Largest win: 8-0 vs Bolivia (1950)
Participant to observe: Luis Suarez
Rating: 14
Group stage fixtures: South Korea (November 24), Portugal (November 28), Ghana (December 2)
Rather a lot has modified for Uruguay within the 4 years for the reason that 2018 World Cup. Their supervisor of 15 years is gone, the youth core has matured and the 2 key figures of the previous decade are within the twilight of their careers.
The highway to Qatar was a bumpy one for La Celeste, who had been vulnerable to lacking out on qualification at one stage. However they arrive on the event with excessive hopes.
“Uruguay will at all times attempt to compete on the World Cup to the utmost, to attempt to go so far as attainable and why not be champions? As a result of now we have the gamers for that,” mentioned the nation’s prime scorer, Luis Suarez
“Though we all know the problem that each recreation within the World Cup presents, we at all times imagine in it,” he mentioned.
Qualification course of
One of many largest modifications for Uruguay this time would be the absence of Oscar Tabarez on the touchline.
The person fondly often known as “El Maestro” had been on the helm for 15 years and had overseen the crew’s qualification within the earlier three World Cups, together with a third-place end in 2010.
However Tabarez was sacked after a poor begin to their marketing campaign for the 2022 World Cup, which noticed them slip to seventh within the qualification desk.
His alternative, former Atletico Madrid striker Diego Alonso, had a direct impression. Uruguay received all of their 4 remaining video games and sealed qualification.
Unsurprisingly, Suarez was the star performer for Uruguay within the qualifiers. He was the second-highest scorer, and his eight targets put him forward of Lionel Messi and Neymar.
Who’s of their group?
Uruguay have been drawn in Group H alongside Portugal, Ghana and South Korea. Whereas it’s a difficult group, La Celeste have overwhelmed every of those three groups in current World Cups. They knocked Portugal out of the event in 2018 and beat South Korea of their spherical of 16 encounter in 2010.
However the tie of the group is undoubtedly their recreation towards Ghana.
The final time the 2 met was within the quarter-final of the 2010 World Cup, which is finest remembered for Suarez’s goal-line save together with his arms within the final minute of additional time to forestall a sure Ghana aim.
It is without doubt one of the most iconic moments in World Cup historical past.
Suarez was despatched off for the offence, however Ghana missed the next penalty and went on to lose the sport within the penalty shootout. Suarez was hailed as a hero in Uruguay, however in Ghana, he stays public enemy primary to this present day. The sequel to this 2010 fixture guarantees to be thrilling.
Previous performances and type
Tabarez was appointed as supervisor in 2006 after the crew’s failure to qualify for the World Cup that yr. Since then, La Celeste has certified for each main event on their calendar. They’ve made it out of the group phases in every of the previous three World Cups and reached the semi-finals in 2010, the place they misplaced to the Netherlands.
Uruguay enter the World Cup in good type: They’ve received seven of their 9 video games this calendar yr, and their 1-0 loss to Iran final month was their first underneath Alonso.
Gamers to be careful for
Because the inaugural winners of the World Cup and two-time champions, Uruguay has a proud footballing custom. La Celeste occupies a central place within the nation’s identification, and as is at all times the case going right into a World Cup, followers’ expectations are excessive.
Suarez believes the raised expectations of the crew are right down to its younger gamers, who’re “taking part in on the highest degree in Europe”.
Rodrigo Bentancur has established himself in Antonio Conte’s Tottenham facet, Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo’s emergence over the previous yr has put veteran Diego Godin’s place underneath menace and in 24-year-old Fede Valverde, they’ve one of the crucial thrilling gamers on this planet in the intervening time.
Whereas the presence of Liverpool ahead Darwin Nunez bolsters the assault, the entrance line continues to be led by the 2 veteran forwards who’ve been there, achieved that.
Suarez and Edinson Cavani, each aged 35, have been the protagonists of Uruguay’s success prior to now decade, and the World Cup might be their closing act.
Between them, they’ve scored 9 of Uruguay’s final 13 World Cup targets. Whereas the hopes of the nation will fall squarely on the pair, it stays to be seen if they’re nonetheless sturdy sufficient to hold them.
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