Uruguay’s World Cup campaign is hanging by a thread after the two-time winners managed only draws in their opening two group stage matches.

Results against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde have left Uruguay in serious danger of failing to reach the knockout stage of the tournament.

The matches were played at Miami Stadium, close to where former Uruguay striker Luis Suárez currently plays his club football for Inter Miami.

The 39-year-old watched from the stands as his former national side struggled despite being considered heavy favourites going into both fixtures.

Suárez retired from international football in 2024 as Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer, having netted 69 goals across 143 appearances for his country.

Coach Marcelo Bielsa ultimately left Suárez out of his World Cup squad following months of speculation, including an April announcement in which Suárez said he was willing to come out of retirement to participate.

Bielsa also excluded veteran striker Edinson Cavani, instead placing his trust in a younger generation of attacking players to deliver results on the biggest stage.

After Sunday’s draw against Cape Verde, Bielsa addressed the team’s failure to close out a game they had within their grasp at half time.

“I think that the problem or greatest issue is that we started the second half with the ball and with the victory,” Bielsa said through a translator. “And it was at that moment that we didn’t close it. We didn’t make any danger.”

Bielsa also acknowledged his side “lacked a finishing touch,” a quality that Suárez delivered consistently throughout his long international career.

In Uruguay’s opening match against Saudi Arabia, the team’s only goal came late from midfielder Maxi Araújo, with Darwin Núñez and Federico Viñas struggling to make an impact up front.

Bielsa changed his approach against Cape Verde, starting only Viñas as the lone forward and introducing midfielder Agustín Canobbio, who scored Uruguay’s second goal of that match.

Despite Canobbio’s positive influence, a narrow miss from the midfielder in the second half proved costly, denying Uruguay what would have been a vital three points.

The tension between Bielsa and Suárez is well documented, stemming from a public falling-out after the 2024 Copa América when Suárez criticised the coach for the negative environment he had created within the squad.

Fans in Miami expressed mixed emotions about watching Uruguay navigate a major tournament without their legendary forward for the first time since 2010.

“(I have) mixed feelings to be honest,” Uruguay supporter Frederico Suárez said. “He’s old and now it’s time for the younger players. But he’s a good player, maybe the best player I’ve ever watched with Uruguay.”

Others were more optimistic about the opportunity the situation presents for younger forwards to step up and prove themselves.

“I feel like he’s a little older, so for players like Darwin (Núñez), I think it just gives him a little bit more of a chance to shine,” fan Ian Lancaster said.

Uruguay now face Spain in Guadalajara on Friday in what amounts to a must-win match if they are to secure progress into the knockout rounds.

“Our expectations with Uruguay now is that we never know,” fan Alfonso Aguel said. “We need to play every match, go match by match, and see what actually happens.”

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