We Uruguayans have changed a phrase that made history: “Mathematically we have a chance,” from times when tournaments began with defeats, and then, only by appealing to the hope of a flurry of results, we could qualify for the decisive rounds of the tournaments. Now, the phrase is that “only mathematically can we be eliminated.” Because from a common sense perspective, Uruguay They are already first in their group, and will play on Saturday 6th in Las Vegas against the second from Colombia and Brazil.
The United States, the home team, must win by three goals to catch up with the Celestes. Based on the performances of both teams in this Cup, it seems impossible. The Celestes will not reserve players, and will once again present themselves with the base that scored eight goals in the tournament and conceded only one. At most, Rodrigo Bentancur could come in to replace Manuel Ugarte, who is suffering from some muscular discomfort. Ronald Araújo will be in the central defense.
The one who will not be present will be the coach Marcelo Bielsa, suspended by Conmebol for one match, for his team’s late entry for the second half against Bolivia (although Uruguay claims from its private forum that it has been wrongly sanctioned and that it has evidence to prove it, but that the ruling is final and therefore there have been no public questions about the decision of the highest South American body).
Eight goals in two games, with Darwin Núñez ‘on’
This intense and offensive Uruguay of Marcelo Bielsa, with Darwin Nuñez as the scorer and Maxi Araújo on the left, unstoppable, has had a brilliant start in the Cup and has presented itself as one of the candidates to win it.
Always looking at the opposing goal, putting pressure on the opponents’ exits, and adding players to the attack when the ball is recovered, he already has eight goals in two games. Darwin Nuñez, from Liverpool, has a fantastic run with the national team: 10 goals in his last 7 games, without missing a single one of his romance with the net.
Fede Valverde needs to take on a more prominent role, to look a little more like the Madrid player. That long stride, to take the enemy area by surprise, has hardly appeared. In the only play in which he tried to invade the area from deep, he scored against Bolivia.
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Bielsa will not be on the field, but his ideas will be there. Going for a third victory, without giving the rival (or even the players) a break, the sky blue will leave its mark on the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. And the quarterfinals are getting ready, in a tough clash: Colombia or Brazil.
