Uruguay were one of the favorites in Group H. However, they might be in serious trouble with a bad performance in their second match of the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Uruguay is trying to win a third World Cup. The South American team won the edition in 1930 (the first ever played) and in 1950 shocked the whole planet after defeating Brazil in the biggest disaster in the history of football: the famous Maracanazo. However, the truth is that they haven’t lifted the trophy in over seven decades.
Now Uruguay is a very dangerous team in Qatar with a roster full of stars like Federico Valverde, Darwin Nuñez, Luis Suarez, Facundo Pellistri and Edinson Cavani. This team knows how to play with their backs against the wall, given that manager Diego Alonso literally saved the team from elimination in the CONMEBOL qualifiers.
After a 0-0 draw in their opener against South Korea, Uruguay are almost flawless in their second match of the tournament against Portugal. This Cristiano Ronaldo-led team will unleash everything as the win puts them into the last eight. Moreover, top spot in Group H could elude Brazil at this next stage.
Is Uruguay eliminated with a loss against Portugal?
After Matchday 1 of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, Portugal are the leaders of Group G with 3 points, Uruguay and South Korea have one point and Ghana are in the bottom with zero. One thing is for sure. Uruguay cannot be eliminated if they lose against Portugal.
That’s because Ghana lost their first game and South Korea only got one point in their opener. So, in their worst case scenario, Diego Alonso’s team will be three points away from the second place of Group H with one game remaining.
If Uruguay lose with Portugal and Ghana beat South Korea, they need to beat Ghana in the last game and wait for South Korea to lose, tie or not to win against Portugal with a bigger goal differential than them.
If Uruguay lose with Portugal and South Korea defeat Ghana, they need to win against Ghana and wait for a loss from South Korea with Portugal in the last game. Then everything would be decided by goal differentiall between Koreans and Urugayans.
If Uruguay lose with Portugal and South Korea-Ghana ends in a tie, Uruguay would have to defeat Ghana in the last game and hope for a tie or loss from the Koreans against Portugal.
