Key analysis: Can Uruguay's attack save their unpredictable defence

Fourth-placed finishes in 1954, 1970 and 2010 show the capabilities of one of the competition's original sides, which has overcome powers and demonstrated the potential of a country small in numbers - just three million inhabitants - but passionate about football.

In Qatar, the Uruguayans are going for their 14th appearance at a World Cup after, in 2018, they eliminated Portugal (2-1), falling only in the quarter-finals against France (2-0), who would go on to lift the trophy.

Uruguay are going through a period of renewal. In the 2021 Copa America, the team fell in the quarter-finals against Colombia in a penalty shootout. Also on the way to the World Cup, what seemed to be a certainty began to fade away when, in November, the Olympic team suffered four consecutive defeats - including in Bolivia (3-0) - which led to the sacking of legendary coach Oscar Tabarez. 

The job has fallen to Diego Alonso (47), a former striker with seven international caps, who has led the team to four wins in the last four matches and the consequent qualification. In what will probably be the last international competition of Luis Suarez (35), Edison Cavani (35), Diego Godin (36), Fernando Muslera (36) and Martin Caceres (35), these veterans will be joined by the crop of youngsters already well established in Europe, such as Fede Valverde (24), Darwin Nunez (23), Rodrigo Bentancur (25) and Ronald Araujo (23), who will bring energy to the team already infamous for boiling over.

Strengths

Uruguay's big name is striker Suarez, the nation's top scorer with 68 goals in 134 international appearances. Although he is not playing at the highest level, as he did a few years ago when he was being played for by the best in Europe, 'Luisito' is an attacking force, with the face and spirit of Uruguayan football, a fighter, leaving everything he can and cannot on the pitch - the 'epic' save that prevented Ghana's goal at the end of extra time in the quarter-finals of the World Cup 2010 or the bite on Giorgio Chiellini in Brazil in 2014 are examples of this. In August, he returned to his homeland and to Nacional to win the title for the club of his childhood.

With an eye for goal, Suarez could make the difference for Uruguay, who have him as their biggest idol. Former Benfica forward Nunez, now at Liverpool, is another striker with great attacking and finishing ability.

In midfield, the big strength is Valverde, who has been going through an excellent phase in Real Madrid and is one of the biggest figures of the Merengues. In defence, Araujo (Barcelona) and Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid) have been making life difficult for LaLiga strikers. Cavani, meanwhile, could be an option from the bench, where the likes of Sebastian Coates (32) and Manuel Ugarte (21) are also expected to feature.

Weaknesses

The big question mark in this seemingly balanced team is in goal. Galatasaray's Muslera has lost his place after a run of four qualifying defeats to Nacional's Sergio Rochet (29).

He has conceded just one goal in his four games down the stretch, compared to the 11 goals Muslera conceded in the previous four rounds. At the same time, the wing backs are not convincing: on the right, Guillermo Varela (29) has been called up having played just seven games in 2022 (six at Flamengo), Nacional's Jose Luis Rodriguez (25) has yet to make his international debut and Caceres - who can play on both sides - seems to spell an end to the days when he went backwards and forwards in the Juventus and Uruguay strips.

Another alternative is Araujo, who has been adapted to right back with some success. On the left, Matias Vina (25) has lost his place at Jose Mourinho's Roma, having made just seven appearances, and Mathias Olivera (23) has been a substitute at Italian league leaders Napoli.

Starting XI

Sergio Rochet - Ronald Araujo, Jose Gimenez, Diego Godin, Mathias Olivera - Rodrigo Bentancur, Matias Vecino, Fede Valverde, De Arrascaeta - Darwin Nunez, Luis Suarez

With more doubts than certainties, this Uruguay line-up seems to be the one that gives manager Alonso the best guarantees. With Araujo projected to the right and Olivera further back on the left, Bentacur and Vecino hold the midfield and make the play reach the strikers in a classic 4-4-2, but with nuances in behaviour.

Both Valverde, on the right, and Arrascaeta, on the left, can take on more central positions, allowing Araujo to come up and Nunez to eventually drop into the corridors, using his speed and skill in one-on-ones, to then serve Suárez in the area.

The youngster Facundo Pellistri (20) - a starter in six of seven internationals - Alonso's clear bet since arriving in the national team, seems to have lost space in the team, as he has only made one appearance for Manchester United's U23 team this season, after two loans to Alaves.

Another of the alternatives could be the implementation of a 3-5-2 system, with Araujo, Gimenez and Godin or Coates at the back, which would open up space for a more attacking wing back such as Nicolas de la Cruz (25), Agustin Canobbio (24) or Facundo Torres (22), who has been playing well at Orlando City.

However, the presence of four strikers in the squad suggests Uruguay will be sticking with their traditional forward pairing.

Hottest contest

There are several doubts about Alonso's initial choices. In defence, the versatility of most of those selected may help to conceal weaknesses, especially ion the flanks. The surprise call-up of Jose Luis Rodriguez, who has yet to make his international debut, offers another solution for the right flank, in addition to Varela or veteran Caceres. However, if Araujo is chosen for that position, it would open up space in the centre of the park for another defender.

Gimenez, Simeone's indispensable soldier at Atletico Madrid, seems to have one place guaranteed. The other is wide open, with veteran captain Godin, the most-capped player in the national team (159).

However, having only played 90 minutes in three matches for Velez Sarsfield this season, he will come into the tournament cold. His competition for places includes none other than Sporting captain Coates, a key figure in Ruben Amorim's line-up, and Caceres.

Another big question is who will keep the national team's top scorer, Suarez, company, a place that has so far been secured by Cavani. The striker is coming off the back of a less-than-successful season at Manchester United (two goals in 20 games) and has landed at Valencia this season with something to prove. 

Four goals in seven games show the Uruguayan has found form, but will have to deal with fierce competition from Darwín Nuñez. 

He joined Liverpool from Benfica last summer for around 80 million euros on the back of a 34-goal campaign in Portugal. 

His nine goals so far in his short career for the Reds show he has no need for a lengthy period of adaptation and gives him a slight edge over Cavani in Alonso's line-up.

Prediciton

Uruguay have a good chance of qualifying, being favourites for at least two of the three first round matches. Ideally, they will qualify in first place, since the second-placed team will potentially face Brazil, which would be a major obstacle in Uruguay's aspirations - they have not beaten their South American rivals since 2001. 

A strong start against South Korea is therefore imperative to give confidence and also to scare Portugal before the second matchday. The South Americans beat the Portuguese in the round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup and a good result against them will practically guarantee their passage to the next round.

Alonso's team will have to give their best in the first two matches and not leave the decisions for the last matchday, in the meeting with Ghana, thus avoiding a possible emotional encounter, especially one with Suarez on the pitch.