Uruguay Faces Critical World Cup Qualifier Against Bolivia in High-Altitude Showdown

Uruguay is known for its consistent appearances in the World Cup, yet recent performances under coach Marcelo Bielsa have sparked concerns. On Tuesday, “La Celeste” will strive to dispel these doubts when they play at the high-altitude El Alto stadium against Bolivia, who are determined to cling to their seventh place in the South American qualifiers.

Following a decisive home defeat by Argentina, the Uruguayan players expressed clear dissatisfaction.

“As a team leader, I must be self-critical of our performance. We had opportunities to score that we failed to capitalise on,” said Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde after their 1-0 loss to the reigning world champions.

Uruguay began this round of qualifiers in second place, but the defeat against Argentina dropped them to fourth, tied on 20 points with Paraguay but ahead on goal difference. Argentina, Ecuador, and Brazil currently occupy the top three spots, with Colombia sitting in sixth.

The top six teams will earn direct entry to next year’s World Cup in North America, while the seventh-placed team faces an intercontinental playoff.

Following a 3-1 loss to Peru in Lima, Bolivia remains seventh with 13 points, ahead of Venezuela (12), Peru (10), and Chile (9).

With only five matches remaining, the room for error narrows considerably.

What unfolds in El Alto has Argentina on edge. If Bolivia stumbles, “La Albiceleste,” set to face Brazil later that evening in Buenos Aires, could be the first South American team to secure a top-six finish and qualify.

Bielsa hinted he might choose players accustomed to high altitudes, such as Rodrigo Aguirre, Sebastián Cáceres, and Brian Rodríguez from Mexico’s Club América.

“The altitude is a challenge, but it doesn’t invalidate our resolve to win,” stated the Argentine coach.

Notably, Uruguay’s lineup for the Bolivia trip excludes midfielders Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Nicolás de La Cruz, the former injured against Argentina.

In practice, Bielsa experimented with an attacking pair of Aguirre and Federico Viñas, with a midfield fielded by Nicolás Fonseca, Manuel Ugarte, Rodríguez, and Cristian Olivera. The defensive line-up includes Guillermo Varela, Santiago Bueno, Cáceres, and Joaquín Piquerez, with Sergio Rochet as goalkeeper.

“I’ve never played there, so I don’t know what it’s like. They say it’s challenging,” remarked Ugarte, the Manchester United player who missed the Argentina match due to suspension. “When we don’t have the ball, we need to stay compact and catch our breath when we regain possession.”

Bolivia faces no player absences, yet they are under pressure to bolster their home performance. Coach Óscar Villegas is set to go all out for victory and wear down Uruguay with rapid altitude-based attacks.

“We’re in a development phase, improving with young players, and we look forward to proving our mettle against Uruguay,” Villegas mentioned.

Midfielder Miguel Terceros, seen as a star for “La Verde,” will likely team up with forwards Roberto Fernández and Carmelo Algarañaz, though Lucas Chávez could replace Fernández.

The clash takes place on Tuesday afternoon at the Municipal Stadium of Villa Ingenio in El Alto, a neighbor to La Paz.