Uruguay Triumphs Over Venezuela, Closing in on World Cup Qualification

Uruguay edged closer to a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup (WC) with a convincing 2-0 win over Venezuela at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo.

Entering this clash, the two teams were separated by three points and two positions in the standings, and Uruguay understood that a victory would bring them a step closer to securing a place in next summer’s tournament. However, the first half was rather lacklustre, with both sides struggling to carve out significant opportunities, although the tempo of the match remained high.

Uruguay appeared more threatening, controlling both territory and possession as Venezuela sought to exploit counter-attacks. The best chances for the hosts fell to Jose Maria Gimenez and Giorgian De Arrascaeta, yet both failed to convert from inside the area.

At the opposite end, Miguel Navarro’s errant effort was the closest Venezuela came to testing Santiago Mele, and it seemed the first half would pass without a single shot on target. However, Uruguay’s Rodrigo Aguirre had plans to change that, deftly heading Maximilian Araújo’s corner under Rafael Romo to give La Celeste the lead at half-time.

Unlike the first half, Uruguay quickly asserted their dominance after the break. They effectively doubled their lead within five minutes of the restart, with De Arrascaeta unleashing a stunning strike from outside the box after winning the ball himself. Aguirre came close again, having a shot saved from a dangerous position, while Romo managed to tip a Facundo Pellistri effort from a tight angle over the crossbar.

With a deficit to chase, Venezuela had no choice but to adopt a more aggressive approach, but their threats only materialised in the closing minutes—too late to make a difference.

Uruguay, meanwhile, were content to retreat slightly and counter-attack, often causing issues for the Venezuelan defence. In the end, although they settled for just two goals, the three points were a much-needed boost, marking only their second win in the last 11 matches under Marcelo Bielsa.

For Fernando Batista’s side, they remain in the inter-confederation playoff position but are now just one point ahead of Bolivia. With tough upcoming matches against Argentina and Colombia, they face a challenging road ahead in their pursuit of reaching the World Cup finals for the first time.