The two-time Olympic soccer champions lived up to their pre-game favourites tag with a crucial victory at Old Trafford.
Uruguay came from behind to defeat the United Arab Emirates 2-1 in their opening Olympic match at Old Trafford on Thursday.
The Emirates took a surprise lead in the 23rd minute when captain Ismaeil Matar met a precise through ball, rounded Uruguay goalkeeper Martin Campana and slotted the ball home.
After going ahead they continued to be the stronger side, and could have doubled their advantage with a couple of decent goal-scoring opportunities.
But they were made to rue their wastefulness, when four minutes from the break Gaston Ramirez drew Uruguay level when he spectacularly curled the ball into the top right-hand corner of the goal from a free-kick.
In the second period Uruguay picked up their game significantly, and took the lead in the 55th minute, when substitute Nicolas Lodeiro blasted the ball into the back of the net following a fine attacking move.
Uruguay's two most important players, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, didn't play to their full potential, even if they showed flashes of their brilliance each time they touched the ball.
Towards the end of the game the Emirates did their best to find an equaliser, but although they came inches close from stealing a point, they failed to get past the Uruguay defence for a second time.
Uruguay, who won the competition in 1924 and 1928, will face Senegal on Sunday.
In Thursday's other Group A game, hosts Great Britain were held to a 1-1 draw by the Senegalese.
The Emirates took a surprise lead in the 23rd minute when captain Ismaeil Matar met a precise through ball, rounded Uruguay goalkeeper Martin Campana and slotted the ball home.
After going ahead they continued to be the stronger side, and could have doubled their advantage with a couple of decent goal-scoring opportunities.
But they were made to rue their wastefulness, when four minutes from the break Gaston Ramirez drew Uruguay level when he spectacularly curled the ball into the top right-hand corner of the goal from a free-kick.
In the second period Uruguay picked up their game significantly, and took the lead in the 55th minute, when substitute Nicolas Lodeiro blasted the ball into the back of the net following a fine attacking move.
Uruguay's two most important players, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, didn't play to their full potential, even if they showed flashes of their brilliance each time they touched the ball.
Towards the end of the game the Emirates did their best to find an equaliser, but although they came inches close from stealing a point, they failed to get past the Uruguay defence for a second time.
Uruguay, who won the competition in 1924 and 1928, will face Senegal on Sunday.
In Thursday's other Group A game, hosts Great Britain were held to a 1-1 draw by the Senegalese.
