Uruguay Seeks World Cup Ticket Against Peru
Uruguay and Peru are meeting tonight in Montevideo in what could be a decisive match for their World Cup dreams. The stage is set at the legendary Estadio Centenario, with the Argentine referee Facundo Tello in charge. For Uruguay, the math is simple: just one point is needed to secure a direct ticket to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The team led by Marcelo Bielsa already has 24 points and holds a six-point advantage over Venezuela, which sits in seventh place. Even in the case of a defeat, Uruguay could still qualify if Venezuela fails to beat Argentina in Buenos Aires.
Peru, on the other hand, arrives with hope hanging by a thread. The team has gone through multiple coaching changes during this qualifying cycle, and now Óscar Ibáñez is the man on the bench after Jorge Fossati’s departure. For the Peruvians, the path is almost impossible. They must win both of their remaining matches, hope that Venezuela does not collect any more points, and also keep Bolivia limited to at most one point. On top of that, they would need to score heavily because their goal difference is unfavorable. It’s not just a challenge; it’s practically a miracle that is being asked of them.
Also Read:The situation for Uruguay is complicated by absences. Star striker Darwin Núñez will not play, as he continues to serve a lengthy suspension following the fight that erupted during last year’s Copa América semifinal in Charlotte. Several defensive players, including Ronald Araújo and Nahitan Nández, are also unavailable due to suspensions and injuries. Bielsa, always bold in his tactical decisions, will once again have to reconfigure his lineup with alternative options. Despite these setbacks, Uruguay enters the match as the strong favorite, backed by bookmakers and home advantage.
Peru, however, has already shown it can surprise. Back in Lima, in the ninth round of qualifiers, the Peruvians defeated Uruguay 1–0 thanks to a goal from Miguel Araujo. That memory is still fresh, and the visitors will try to draw strength from it. Experienced goalkeeper Pedro Gallese remains the anchor of the Peruvian defense, while leadership on the field will be shared by familiar names such as Luis AdvÃncula and Yoshimar Yotún.
For Bielsa’s Uruguay, the campaign has been a rollercoaster. The early stages were filled with energy and even saw them defeat Argentina in Buenos Aires for the first time in decades. But the Copa América drama, the suspensions, and tension between players and coach created turbulence. Still, Bielsa and his squad have steadied the ship in recent matches, and tonight could bring closure to their qualifying journey.
So the question is clear: will Uruguay secure their place and continue a streak of five straight World Cup appearances, or will Peru manage to extend their faint hopes for another week? At 8:30 p.m., all eyes will be on Montevideo to find out.
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