A big match is set for the early hours of the morning (3:00 a.m.) at Estadio Akron in Mexico. Uruguay and Spain face off with different goals in mind for Group 8 of the World Cup.
The “Celeste” are playing a do-or-die match, going all out to stay in the tournament, having earned just one point after two games, against opponents clearly inferior to the European champions. They drew 1–1 with Giorgos Donis’s Saudi Arabia, followed by a 2–2 draw with Cape Verde, against whom they staged a comeback with goals from Araujo (44’) and Canobbio (45’+6’), before conceding the equalizer in the 61st minute.
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Right back Varela is doubtful. There is a possibility that Bielsa will bench starting goalkeeper Muslera, giving Roset the starting spot.
Uruguay’s roster
Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Estudiantes), Sergio Roset (Internacional de Porto Alegre), Santiago Mele (Monterrey)
Defenders: José María Giménez (Atlético Madrid), Matías Vina (River Plate), Matías Olivera (Napoli), Guillermo Varela (Flamengo), Ronald Araújo (Barcelona), Sebastián Cáceres (Club América), Joaquín Piqueres (Palmeiras), Santiago Bueno (Wolves)
Midfielders: Rodrigo Betancur (Tottenham), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Facundo Pellistri (Panathinaikos), Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United), Nicolás de la Cruz (Flamengo), Brian Rodríguez (Club América), Maxi Araújo (Sporting), Agustín Canobbio (Fluminense), Emiliano Martínez (Palmeiras), Rodrigo Salazar (Sporting Braga), Juan Manuel Sanabria (Real Salt Lake)
Forwards: Darvin Núñez (Al Hilal), Federico Viñas (Real Oviedo), Rodrigo Aguirre (Tigres).
Spain is in a more comfortable position, having already secured a spot in the next round, but it wants to finish in second place to avoid facing Argentina in the knockout stage. In any case, a draw would likely “seal” first place for them, as they are under threat from Cape Verde, which would need to score many goals against Saudi Arabia to make up the goal difference. That said, right now, the “Roja” is paying the price for its failure to beat Cape Verde in the first match; otherwise, it would have already clinched first place.
De la Fuente, who has no injury concerns, is expected to make few to no changes to the lineup. Ferran Torres, Fabián Ruiz, and Nico Williams are vying for a starting spot.
Spain’s Roster
Goalkeepers: Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Juan García (Barcelona)
Defenders: Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Marcos Llorente (Atlético Madrid), Eric García (Barcelona), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Alex Grimaldo (Leverkusen), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Marc Pubill (Atlético Madrid)
Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Pedri (Barcelona), Gavi (Barcelona), Martín Zubimendi (Arsenal), Alex Baena (Atlético Madrid)
Forwards: Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Niko Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Jeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Borja Iglesias (Celta), Víctor Muñoz (Osasuna)
Probable starting lineups:
Uruguay (Marcelo Bielsa): Muslera – Varela, Caseres, Jimenez, Olivera – Bentancur, Valverde, Ugarte – Canobbio, Araujo, Nunes
Spain (Luis de la Fuente): Simón – Porro, Kubarshi, Laporte, Kukureya – Rodri, Olmo, Pedri – Yamal, Baena – Oyarzabal
*photo source: AP
