World Cup qualifying goes into top gear on Friday as Uruguay hosts Colombia in Montevideo. This match renews the controversy of their Copa America semi-final clash, which Colombia won 1-0 amidst chaotic scenes following the match. Both teams now turn their attention to the vital points required to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
Match Preview
Uruguay’s Struggles and Road to Redemption
Once commanding in the early qualifiers, Uruguay has hit a patch of rough form, failing to win or score in their last four matches. Marcelo Bielsa’s side is now four points in front of teams that are outside of automatic qualifying spots and thus the pressure will mount.
A 1-0 defeat against Peru last month merely underlined their struggles, compounded by off-field issues, including criticism from retired legend Luis Suárez, who accused Bielsa of dividing the squad. The fallout from the Copa America semi-final suspensions has also hurt Uruguay’s cohesion, but with those bans served, excuses are running out.
The hosts, eager to confirm a fifth successive World Cup appearance, will see the result against the strong Colombia team as a way of getting their campaign up and running once more.
Colombia’s Resurgence
Colombia have had a solid World Cup qualifying campaign under Néstor Lorenzo, second in the standings three points back of leaders Argentina. After a shocking 1-0 loss to Bolivia – where the altitude simply got the better of them – Colombia responded with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Chile to show the world their attacking prowess.
The Cafeteros now want to finally break this decades-long drought in Uruguay as their last victory in the capital, Montevideo, came back in 1973. With Uruguay low on steam at present, Colombia believe that this is the perfect chance to pounce and seal a spot for themselves-one that has been elusive to them since failing to make the cut for the 2022 edition.
Team News and Lineups
Uruguay
The suspension of Darwin Núñez for the Copa America brawl was rescinded, so he’s back but one yellow card away from suspension. José María Giménez, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Matías Olivera return from their lengthy bans to help a defence that had no depth in the defeat to Peru.
Probable Uruguay Starting XI:
Rochet; Varela, S. Bueno, Giménez, Olivera; Valverde, Ugarte, Bentancur; Pellistri, Núñez, M. Araújo
Colombia
Colombia will be without the withdrawn injured Luis Sinisterra, as well as midfield duo Jefferson Lerma and Yaser Asprilla. An ACL injury to defender Juan Cabal adds to their woes at the back, but they do boast a pretty good attack inspired by in-form Premier League players Luis Díaz and Jhon Durán.
Possible Colombia Starting XI:
Vargas; Muñoz, Sánchez, Lucumí, Mojica; Ríos, Uribe; Díaz, James Rodríguez, J. Arias; Durán
Match Preview
And with little consistency in form and a goal drought, Uruguay will hardly find this an easy outing even on home soil. An inspired attack with Díaz and Durán makes Colombia an imposing force, but reinforcements at the back should help the hosts steady their game.
Prediction: Uruguay 1-1 Colombia
Key Match Insights
Uruguay’s Form (WC Qualifying): W-W-D-D-L-D
Colombia’s Form (WC Qualifying): W-W-D-W-L-W
Colombia last beat Uruguay away from home over 50 years ago, a 1973 win.
While Uruguay need to turn things around, Colombia seek to carry on. A tight battle is expected in Montevideo as both teams go head-to-head for vital World Cup qualifying points.
