The French fancy their chances of winning the World Cup. But first, they need to take care of the tournament’s definitive street fighters. Uruguay could not possibly be any more intimidating if they strutted onto the field with knuckle-dusters. Their upcoming quarter-final against France promises to be West Side Story with less singing and more violence.
The South Americans took on Europe’s leading scrappers this morning and it proved to be a one-sided 2-1 victory. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal won Euro 2016 with a dour, resolute 4-4-2 with those uncompromising banks of four stopping anyone with a balletic touch on the ball. But Uruguay don’t play in Europe. They learned their craft on their poverty-stricken South American streets. They yield to no one. Write them off at your peril.
For the final 15 minutes, Luis Suarez took on Portugal’s entire back four and prevailed. He shouldered the burden after his brother in arms, the magnificent Edinson Cavani, went off with a slight knock.
At 31, Cavani knows Russia 2018 represents his last World Cup and he’s played accordingly, treating every kick, goal and game like they may be his last. Two wonderful goals were a timely reminder why the Paris Saint-Germain striker was once the most wanted forward in elite football. Coach Óscar Tabárez will pray that Cavani recovers to face France on Friday in the quarter-final. Les Bleus certainly won’t. They know what’s in store.
Tabárez has fashioned a stubborn, almost retro group of ageing, dogged warriors. Their back four, with Lucas Torreira offering additional protection in midfield, really were something else against Portugal. Even the most muscular of legends couldn’t elbow his way through. Ronaldo won’t be retiring. But his World Cup journey may be just about done. Qatar 2022 seems a long way away, even for an ageless great.
As for Uruguay, all bets are off. They’re not particularly pretty, but remarkably effective. Suarez will scare France. Suarez and Cavani should positively terrify Les Bleus. The race is on to get the seasoned striker fit by Friday. For Uruguay, the quarter-final could be won in the treatment room.
Neil Humphreys
Singapore’s best selling author and Football columnist
