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Although the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil may be more than two years away, Uruguay has perhaps already stamped themselves as prime candidates to win their third title.
While most pundits will have the likes of Spain, Brazil, Germany and Holland on their contenders’ list come 2014, Uruguay’s recent results bode very well for World Cup success.
After failing to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Uruguay has since, undergone a steady metamorphosis which now sees them ranked as the fourth best football nation according to the FIFA world rankings.
Indeed such a high ranking reflects Uruguay’s fantastic performances over the past eighteen months or so.
At the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Uruguay went on to finish in fourth position after topping a tough group which included proud footballing nations such as Mexico and France.
By the tournaments conclusion, Uruguay forward Diego Forlan was recognised as the World Cup’s best player, while Luis Suarez also announced himself on the world stage thanks to a fine solo effort against Korea Republic during the knockout stages.
Since their success in South Africa, Uruguay has gone from strength to strength, winning the Copa America in Argentina after dominating Paraguay in the final.
Uruguay’s new found aura of dominance has continued into the 2014 South American World Cup qualifiers, winning two out of their first three matches.
In their most recent victory, Uruguay humbled Chile 4-0, with Suarez scoring all four goals.
Given Forlan’s recent drop in form, Suarez’s ascension from a promising forward to a world class striker has reaped massive dividends for Uruguay thus far.
With Suarez in such devastating touch, Uruguay now boasts of one of world football’s most lethal forward partnerships.
If Napoli striker Edison Cavani can get himself more involved when Uruguay are in possession, than there is no doubting that his chemistry with Suarez will reap a heaps of goals for the two-time World Cup winners.
Uruguay’s improvements upfront also coincide well with their fine progress in defence.
Under coach Oscar Tabarez, Uruguay has adopted a high pressure approach, with their defence usually positioned near the middle of the park whenever possible.
Such a tactic worked wonders against Argentina in the Copa America earlier this year.
With Argentina known for their ability to keep possession, Uruguay pressured the hosts into error on numerous occasions and most notably, they nullified the influence of Barcelona maestro Lionel Messi.
Captain Diego Lugano is largely responsible for Uruguay’s new found defensive resolve. The Paris St Germain player is a brilliant central defender, and is perhaps Uruguay’s version of Spain’s Carlos Puyol.
A physically intimidating presence in the air, Lugano is also a very astute ball player who is able to regain possession and distribute the ball comfortably to his midfield.
As it stands, Uruguay is currently the best ranked Latin American nation in the FIFA world rankings – a testament to both, their defensive resolve and the clinical performances from Forlan, Suarez and Lugano in particular.
Given that their last World Cup triumph was back in Brazil 1950, one gets the impression that Uruguay are doing everything possible in their bid to make history repeat itself come 2014.