Brazil vs Uruguay on Sunday ushers in the latest episode of a fierce long soccer standing rivalry between both nations.
In this competition, Uruguay have won the title 15 times to Brazil’s 9 and on the strength of their performance this year have established themselves as tournament favorites.
Brazil on the other hand has had a rather subdued start to the Copa America, winning only one of the 3 group games and scraping through with a fortunate draw against Colombia.
Brazil
The Selecao, five times World Cup winners would have avoided Sunday’s clash against Uruguay with a win over Colombia, however, a draw meant that Colombia won the group and secured more favorable opposition in Panama who scaled through after tournament hosts fell to Uruguay.
They will now also have to do battle in Vegas without their poster boy, Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr who picked up a second yellow card and is thus suspended for the quarter-final. They’re already without Neymar who has been nursing a long-term injury.
Brazil Head Coach Dorival Jr will draft in 17-year-old youngster Endrick to replace Vinicius Jr. Dubbed “Messinho”, the new Real Madrid signing is expected to make his Brazil senior team debut.
“We’ve lost an important player, but we’ve gained a player who’s coming into his own and is looking for an opportunity. Maybe this is Endrick’s moment,” Dorival told a press conference on Friday.
Raphinha who scored a wonderful free-kick against Colombia will also be expected to continue his form against Uruguay.
Brazil will hope that an attack that is still finding its feet in the competition will be able to click into gear and provide the goods. But the stage and the opposition will prove to be very stern tests of their quality.
Uruguay
Uruguay has been in imperious form all through the competition, cruising their group with a 100% record and doing so very convincingly.
Sergio Aguero, former Argentina striker certainly recognises the threat Uruguay poses to his country’s chances of winning the Copa America. He stated in a recent interview:
I think Uruguay have a lot to give now with Bielsa. They should go far in the tournament.
I think Argentina are their own biggest threat, and we shouldn’t be overconfident. But Uruguay are the only team that could beat us, because Bielsa knows Lionel Scaloni very well.
Let’s not forget that Uruguay is the only team that has beat us since becoming world champions.
Marcelo Bielsa’s team has been in rich form scoring nine goals and conceding just one in the group stage of the tournament, they have also won 7 of their last 10 matches scoring 22 goals and conceding just four.
The last time they faced Sunday’s opponents they won 2-0, and on current form, Brazil’s recent struggles, and with Marcelo Bielsa’s continued quest for improvements and excellence, Uruguay will be feeling confident. They have a big chance to
Brazil vs Uruguay Head-to-Head
The last 5 games between both teams have gone thus:
24 Mar 2017 Uruguay vs Brazil 1-4
(FIFA World Cup)
16 Nov 2018 Brazil vs Uruguay 1-0 (International Friendly)
17 Nov 2020 Uruguay vs Brazil 0-2
(FIFA World Cup)
14 Oct 2021 Brazil vs Uruguay 4-1
(FIFA World Cup)
17 Oct 2023 Uruguay vs Brazil 2-0
(FIFA World Cup)
Brazil vs Uruguay Possible Lineups
Uruguay:
Sergio Rochet, Nahitan Nandez, Ronald Araujo,Mathias Olivera, Matias Vina, Federico Valverde, Manuel Ugarte, Facundo Pellistri, Nicolas de la Cruz, Cristian Olivera, Darwin Nunez
Brazil:
Alisson, Wendell, Marquinhos, Eder Militao, Danilo, Joao Gomes, Bruno Guimaraes, Raphinha, Lucas Paqueta, Rodrygo, Endrick
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