Uruguay beats Brazil

Uruguay is a small country which lies across the river Plate from the sprawling but prosperous suburbs of Buenos Aires.  I was there one Thanksgiving, the air still crisp and clear.  We took the ferry one and a half hours to the quaint town of Colonia del Sacramento Then on to Montevideo – art deco and colonial style – a city of some 1.4 million souls (compared with 15.5 million in Buenos Aires!). Not sure why I’m talking about Argentina (!) – except it’s worth the trip – tango and Malbec!

Because the big contention last week was between Uruguay and Brazil in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers. 17 October in the Estadio Centenario in Montivideo.  And, for the first time in 22 years , Uruguay beat Brazil. La Celeste over the Selecao. Of course Brazil has suffered greater humiliations in the past The 7-0 loss to Germany in the 2014 World Cup notable among them. That was the end for Scolari as manager – the Brazilians take pride in their success!

The population of Uruguay is just 3.4 million gauchos (and gauchesses!). Their samba neighbors number 216.4 million! The disproportion is outright. But, as the US shows, strength of numbers does not always decide the issue. Uruguay has produced some excellent players in the last few years. Luis Suarez scored 31 goals in combination with Daniel Sturridge who scored 21 in the 2013/2014 season at Liverpool. That was before Suarez got the taste for human flesh! And going on 37, Edinson Cavani still plays for Boca Juniors. He spent a couple of good seasons at United, often coming on late to score a crucial goal!

Darwin Nunez and Facundo Pellistri represent Uruguay in the Premier League today. The Brazilian stars, starting with Neymar are too numerous to mention! Brazil certainly brought their A team – no excuse there. Nunez scored Uruguay’s first putting a gut punching diving header to a chip from the left. The celebrations were lengthy. More flowing passing through midfield and down the left wing led to another chance with the ball grazing Brazil’s crossbar. Neymar was forced off late in the first half with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.

Into the second half Uruguay continued to show the better intent – while Brazil were conservative, Uruguay were adventurous! Shots flashed past the Brazil goalposts. Then Uruguay survived a tenable penalty shout and a free kick that thudded against the crossbar. But Brazil were punished for some sloppy defense close in on Uruguay’s right and De la Cruz joyfully smashed the ball into the roof of the net from close range. Overall Uruguay had more shots and more shots on target – precisely two (!) from Uruguay to zero from Brazil!

The victory lifted Uruguay to second in the CONMEBOL standings on seven points, level with Brazil and Venezuela. It’s a great return for this small but football-crazy country!