The flooded field didn’t trouble Uruguay as they thumped Bolivia 4-2 in their World Cup qualifying debut.
Uruguay dominated Bolivia at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo and won courtesy of two goals from captain Diego Lugano and one each from attackers Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. Bolivia’s goals were converted by Rudy Cardozo and Marcelo Martins.
The Copa America champions started strongly and went ahead as early as in the 3rd minute, when Liverpool striker Suarez was given time in the area from a corner-kick and blasted the ball past Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Arias. Uruguay’s lethal strike-force continued to create clear goal-scoring opportunities, however, from the run of play Bolivia drew level in the 17th minute with a crossed shot from Cardozo.
Uruguay only had to wait eight minutes before regaining the lead, when Lugano connected to a precise free-kick from Diego Forlan with a powerful header, to the delight of the 20,000 fans that withstood torrential rainfall in the Uruguayan capital by attending the game.
Despite the slippy surface the hosts played attractive attacking soccer, and their third goal arrived in the 34th minute, when Cavani headed home a perfectly delivered right-wing cross from Maxi Pereira.
Oscar Washington Tabarez’s side continued to dominate in the second period, although at a slightly more relaxed pace, and Lugano added his second goal and Uruguay’s fourth in the 71st minute when he poked the ball into the back of the net from close-range after a series of rebounds in the Bolivia area.
Bolivia pulled a goal back four minutes from full-time when Marcelo Martins converted a non-existent penalty kick, after a clear dive in the Uruguay area.
The Copa America champions started strongly and went ahead as early as in the 3rd minute, when Liverpool striker Suarez was given time in the area from a corner-kick and blasted the ball past Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Arias. Uruguay’s lethal strike-force continued to create clear goal-scoring opportunities, however, from the run of play Bolivia drew level in the 17th minute with a crossed shot from Cardozo.
Uruguay only had to wait eight minutes before regaining the lead, when Lugano connected to a precise free-kick from Diego Forlan with a powerful header, to the delight of the 20,000 fans that withstood torrential rainfall in the Uruguayan capital by attending the game.
Despite the slippy surface the hosts played attractive attacking soccer, and their third goal arrived in the 34th minute, when Cavani headed home a perfectly delivered right-wing cross from Maxi Pereira.
Oscar Washington Tabarez’s side continued to dominate in the second period, although at a slightly more relaxed pace, and Lugano added his second goal and Uruguay’s fourth in the 71st minute when he poked the ball into the back of the net from close-range after a series of rebounds in the Bolivia area.
Bolivia pulled a goal back four minutes from full-time when Marcelo Martins converted a non-existent penalty kick, after a clear dive in the Uruguay area.
