With a rich history of FIFA World Cup appearances and a talented and experienced squad, Uruguay’s failure to qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time in two decades was a disaster entirely of their own making .
And after winning the titles of 1930 and 1950 and participating in 14 World Cup tournaments, Uruguay’s participation has become almost permanent in the round of 16 and beyond, and it could have no excuse to exit Group Eight today, Friday .
Uruguay showed thirst and dynamism in a 2-0 win over Ghana at Al Wakrah and it was exactly what the World Cup expected of them, but it was too late as the South Americans paid dearly for not scoring in the first two games.
And for a team famed for their outstanding forwards, it was the most painful exit, as South Korea beat already qualified Portugal today to progress from Group H, not on points or goal difference, but on goals scored .
The conditions were there for another World Cup success, with strong winning momentum in their last four qualifying matches after Diego Alonso took charge more than a year ago before turning his season around.
His squad was largely absent with injuries and had an enviable mix of experience and youth, as 5 players competed for a fourth time in the World Cup, including strikers Luis Sorez and Edinson Cavani, along with 13 players for the first time time, including Federico Valverde of Real Madrid and Rodrigo Bentancur Tottenham Hotspur and Darwin Nunez, forward of Liverpool.
Uruguay made an embarrassing start at Al Rayyan in their first goalless draw with a South Korean side ambushing them early on and, despite regaining their composure, failed to send a single shot on target.
Portugal adopted a similar tactic in their 2-0 win in Lusail, hitting Uruguay early on and denying them any chance.
Needing to win, Uruguay proved to be a completely different team against Ghana, with Suarez, Nunez, Facundo Pellestri and Jorgian de Arscaita confident up front.
But for a team with a winning record and their ability to turn things around in their favour, Uruguay could regret their slow start in Qatar for years.
“We found our way. We were brave, we had the ball and we weren’t afraid,” Alonso said of the win, despite being eliminated.
He continued: “Of course, I wanted to see this team performance sooner, but that’s what happened. The players’ backs were broken, they tried their best.”
