Chile Faces Uruguay in Final South American Qualifier
The South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup are finally reaching their conclusion, and for Chile, the campaign has been nothing short of painful. The team, now led on an interim basis by Nicolás Córdova, has already been eliminated from contention. What remains is an effort to salvage some dignity and, if possible, to avoid ending up at the very bottom of the standings.
Tonight, the focus turns to the Estadio Nacional in Santiago, where Chile will meet Uruguay, a side that arrives already qualified for the World Cup. Marcelo Bielsa, who once guided La Roja to South Africa 2010, is now leading the Uruguayan squad, and his return to Chile brings a special atmosphere to this final encounter.
For Chile, the lineup has been adjusted once again. Lawrence Vigouroux will guard the goal, while the defense will consist of Fabián Hormazábal, Guillermo Maripán, Paulo DÃaz, and Gabriel Suazo. In the midfield, Felipe Loyola, Rodrigo EcheverrÃa, and Javier Altamirano will try to balance possession and creativity. Up front, the attack will be carried by Emiliano Ramos, Ben Brereton, and Lucas Cepeda. This combination replaces several players from the previous match against Brazil, with Román, Pizarro, and Aravena making way for fresh names.
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Still, not everyone made it into the squad for this crucial match. Bruno Barticciotto, who had been dealing with physical discomfort, has been left out along with Daniel Gutiérrez and Esteban Matus. These absences highlight the constant challenges faced by Córdova, who must mix young talents with experienced names while planning for the future.
Meanwhile, Uruguay comes into this clash with plenty of confidence. In their last outing, they dismantled Peru with a 3–0 victory, securing their place at the World Cup with authority. Federico Valverde, Darwin Núñez, and Rodrigo Bentancur are among the figures expected to lead Bielsa’s side once again. For the visitors, the match is less about points and more about maintaining momentum and rhythm ahead of the tournament.
The Estadio Nacional, however, is not at its usual capacity. Due to FIFA sanctions for discriminatory chants, the stadium is partially closed, and when that emptiness is combined with Chile’s disappointing campaign, the setting feels somber. What was once a fortress now carries the echo of frustration.
And yet, for Chile, there is still something at stake. Avoiding last place in the standings has become the new mission. To do so, La Roja not only needs a result against Uruguay but also must hope that Peru loses to Paraguay in Lima. It may not be the grand ending fans hoped for, but it would at least soften the blow of a disastrous campaign.
In the end, tonight’s match is not just about points. It is about closing a painful chapter, about taking the first step toward rebuilding, and about showing that even in adversity, La Roja can still fight with pride.
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