Uruguay: World Cup team profile
La Celeste aiming for another run to the semis
The reigning South American champions have offensive firepower other nations can only dream of.
The Star
Equally adept at playing hero or villain, Luis Suarez will undoubtedly be at the centre of whatever Uruguay does at the World Cup. The Liverpool striker can score from anywhere, and often does – just Google his name on YouTube for proof. He led South American qualifying with 11 goals.
But after keyhole surgery on his knee in the lead-up to Brazil, can Suarez be effective?
Fast Facts
- World Cup Group: D
- Nickname: La Celeste
- Manager: Óscar Tabárez
- Captain: Diego Forlán
- FIFA World Ranking: 7
- Best World Cup Result: Champions in 1930, 1950
- Qualification Method: 5th in CONMEBOL, defeated Jordan in playoff
Road to Rio
Buoyed by a semifinal appearance in the 2010 World Cup and a victory in the 2011 Copa America, Uruguay was expected to easily cruise to a spot in Brazil. But La Celeste swooned badly in 2012, losing six and drawing two in an eight game stretch, putting a place in Rio in serious doubt.
Uruguay righted the ship enough to grab fifth spot in the South American group, earning a playoff with Jordan in the process. La Celeste overwhelmed Jordan and won the two-leg tie 5-0, booking their spot in the 2014 World Cup.
How they Fared in 2010
A dream run saw Uruguay make a memorable drive to the semifinal in South Africa, where La Celeste fell 3-2 to the Netherlands in one of the best matches of the tournament.
Diego Forlan won the tournament MVP award and also took a share of the scoring title, while Luis Suarez simultaneously became a national hero and international villain for his now infamous handball against Ghana in the quarter-finals.
Fixtures
Group D
- Saturday June 14 – Uruguay vs. Costa Rica, 3 p.m. ET
- Thursday June 19 – Uruguay vs. England, 3 p.m. ET
- Tuesday June 24 – Italy vs. Uruguay, Noon ET
Outlook
Though entering the World Cup as the South American champions, Uruguay isn’t the force it was three years ago. Problems in defence along with a lack of discipline may keep La Celeste from matching their fourth-place finish in 2010.
But you can’t count out any team that boasts a strike pairing such as Suarez and Edinson Cavani of Paris Saint-Germain. Those two, combined with Forlan, have the ability to turn any match to their favour. La Celeste will need them on-form and healthy to get through a deadly Group D, which includes the likes of Italy and England. If Suarez is labouring, Uruguay could be in trouble.