What is Uruguay's squad for the 2019 Copa America?
Uruguay head coach Oscar Tabarez has named a relatively experienced side for the upcoming tournament. The 72-year-old old Montevideo native will lead La Celeste to a sixth South America championship in Brazil. Here are the 23 men he will be counting on in the quest for a record-extending 16th continental title:
Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Martin Silva (Libertad), Martin Campana (Independiente).
Defenders: Diego Godin (free agent), Jose Maria Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Sebastián Coates (Sporting Lisbon), Marcelo Saracchi (Leipzig), Martin Caceres (Juventus).
Midfielders: Matias Vecino (Inter Milan), Nahitan Nandez (Boca Juniors), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus), Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders), Lucas Torreira (Arsenal), Diego Laxalt (AC Milan), Gaston Pereiro (PSV Eindhoven), Giovanni Gonzalez (Penarol).
Strikers: Luis Suarez (Barcelona), Cristhian Stuani (Girona), Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint-Germain), Jonathan Rodriguez (Cruz Azul), Maximiliano Gomez (Celta de Vigo).
@ECavaniOfficial #Nandez@fedeevalverde @SebastianCoates pic.twitter.com/v8G6zVOFqW
— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) June 1, 2019
Who are Uruguay's key players for the 2019 Copa America?
Luis Suarez
Barcelona talisman Luis Suarez will aim to shake off a recent injury in order to be ready for the finals in Brazil. Despite being named in the 23-man squad for the tournament, the 32-year-old striker remains a doubt as he is still in rehabilitation following a surgery on his right knee.
Suarez comes into the 2019 Copa America in scintillating form, having helped Barcelona to secure the Spanish league title this term. The former Liverpool forward scored 21 goals in 33 La Liga appearances and registered six assists. With over 50 goals and more than 100 caps for Uruguay, Luis Suarez could set this summer's tournament ablaze should he recover in time.
Edinson Cavani
Edinson Cavani will be gunning to lead the lines once more for La Celeste having forged what is arguably the most lethal attacking partnership with Luis Suarez in the whole of South America. The Paris Saint-Germain striker approaches the tournament in top form, scoring 24 goals in all competitions for the Ligue 1 champions.
At the national team level the 32 years old forward has registered 46 goals in 109 appearances. With Suarez yet to be passed fit for the campaign, the weight of the nation will be on the shoulder of Cavani to lead the charge for a successful campaign.
What are Uruguay's fixtures at the 2019 Copa America?
Uruguay will commence its Copa America campaign against Ecuador before it takes on Japan in the second game. The Samurai Blue is one of two Asian countries invited for this year's tournament (Qatar is the other).
A frantic finale is expected to ensue when La Celeste battles Chile in the third and final group game.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
Uruguay 4 - 0 Ecuador
June 16, 2019 6:00pmEstádio Governador Magalhães Pinto (Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais)This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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Match details, result and original broadcast info
Chile 0 - 1 Uruguay
June 24, 2019 7:00pmEstadio Jornalista Mário Filho (Maracanã) (Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro)This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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What are the odds of Uruguay winning the 2019 Copa America?
Marked as outsiders ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Uruguay could have potentially pulled off the unthinkable but for a quarter-final defeat to eventual champions France. Still, La Celeste attained an enviable feat by progressing out of the group stage unbeaten.
Heading into the 2019 Copa America, a spell reminiscent of that will not be far-fetched considering the personnel that were involved in the campaign are still well and truly on top of their game. Nonetheless, battling against the likes of Ecuador, Japan and Chile never have easy tags on them so one should expect Cavani, Suarez and co. to often have their scoring boots on.
The biggest tests await Oscar Tabarez's side in the knockout stage where Brazil, Argentina and the links will possibly show up to flex their muscles. Still, Uruguay's well-balanced defense, midfield and attack should be up for any contest that may arise.
That withstanding, it will be quite surprising if the 15-time Copa America champions do not make it to the last four.
