The Uruguay of Marcelo Bielsa will try to take the focus away from off-field controversies and a surprise defeat when they host Ecuador in Montevideo on Tuesday, in one of the key World Cup qualifiers.
Following a shocking 1-0 defeat in Peru last Friday, Uruguay allowed several other nations to close the gap on them in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings. At the same time, Ecuador continued their steady progress with an appealing performance on matchday nine to keep them in contention for a place in the 2026 World Cup.
Match Preview
Having started the year in such commanding vein in the qualifiers, beating both Brazil and Argentina, Uruguay were coasting their way to a fifth successive World Cup, but since exiting to Copa América semi-final defeat in the summer, it has slowed down for them, with key players suffering suspensions and injuries.
The latest setback came in Peru, where they conceded their first goal in close to 10 hours of qualifying action. It also meant a sixth successive game without a win in 90 minutes-a worrying trend as far as their form was concerned.
Currently third in the table, Uruguay still enjoys a comfortable four-point cushion above the playoff spot, but with back-to-back 0-0 draws last month and their defeat against Argentina, Bielsa’s side is yet to find the net since their Copa América loss.
Off-field drama hasn’t helped, either. Recent comments by Luis Suárez accusing Bielsa of creating a “toxic atmosphere” within the squad have only heightened the theatrics surrounding La Celeste. Despite all that tumult, Uruguay can take some confidence in their historic dominance over Ecuador at home-the Sky Blues have never lost to them in Montevideo in World Cup qualifying.
On the other hand, Ecuador have been one of the biggest surprises this campaign. Handed a three-point deduction in qualifying to start off, they have been competitive and stayed pace with the top, while their defense has been as rock-solid, with five clean sheets in their last six games.
The goalless draw with Paraguay last week was typical of a side capable of digging out results, and without the points deduction, they would be on the same footing as Uruguay and above Brazil in the table. With only Argentina and Brazil beating them so far, Ecuador remains vulnerable in a tight qualifying race in which just three points separate fourth place from eighth.
Ecuador are seeking a fifth World Cup appearance, and with more spots available to the 2026 tournament, despite the highly-competitive nature of the CONMEBOL qualifiers, they remain among the favorites to secure a spot.
Team News
For Uruguay, one potential boost – and for Darwin Núñez in particular – comes courtesy of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, who have temporarily stayed the suspension on his ban while they review the appeal, allowing him to take part in this match. Rodrigo Bentancur serves the last match of his suspension here, with José María Giménez, Matías Olivera, and Ronald Araújo all returning again after respective suspensions were served.
Nevertheless, injuries persist at the back for Uruguay, with Araújo and centre halves Sebastián Cáceres and Lucas Olaza ruled out. That meant Bielsa was forced to deploy midfielders Manuel Ugarte and Guillermo Varela as makeshift centre-backs in the defeat to Peru.
The talismans for Ecuador are still Enner Valencia and Moisés Caicedo-who will make his 50th appearance despite being only 22. Piero Hincapié, Willian Pacho, and Pervis Estupiñán are all fit to play in defence, while injuries have denied them the services of Carlos Gruezo and Jhegson Méndez.
Predicted Lineups
Uruguay: Rochet; Varela, Giménez, Bueno, Olivera; Ugarte, Valverde, De Arrascaeta; Pellistri, Núñez, M. Araújo
Ecuador: Galíndez; Torres, Pacho, Hincapié; Preciado, Franco, Caicedo, Estupiñán; Plata, Valencia, Páez
This time, Uruguay will be eager to get back to winning ways, while Ecuador seeks to continue their unbeaten run and creates some complications for the host nation on the way to qualification further.
