World Cup History
Best Result:
Winners 1930, 1950
Having won consecutive gold medals at the 1924 and 1928 Olympics, Uruguay was chosen as host nation for the inaugural World Cup in 1930. In an appropriate celebration of 100 years' of independence, Uruguay claimed the trophy playing a game based around skilful short passing, rather than the more physical European approach. Upset by several European nations' decisions to boycott the tournament, as it was being played in South America, Uruguay did not enter the 1934 or 1938 tournaments, played in Italy and France respectively. Having missed those chances to add to their trophy cabinet, Uruguay won the World Cup when the competition resumed in 1950.
Since then, Uruguay's best finish has been fourth place in 1954 and 1970 while the Charruas have only qualified for one of the past three World Cup finals, where they did not make it past the first round in Japan/Korea 2002. Famously beaten by Australia on penalties in the inter-continental play-off for a position at Germany 2006, Uruguay will be looking to make up for lost time at South Africa.
Road to World Cup
Finished fifth in CONMEBOL qualifying
Qualified in Inter-continental play-off with Costa Rica
The final team to qualify for South Africa 2010, Uruguay go to the finals next June with the advantage of having played repeatedly against other high-profile South American fancies likes Brazil and Argentina. It was still a difficult qualification campaign for veteran coach Oscar Tabarez and his charges, who won six of the 18 matches in CONMEBOL qualifying, while also drawing and losing six.
The last qualifying game in Montevideo proved a particularly tense occasion as fifth-placed Uruguay took on Argentina in fourth. As Uruguay were just one point behind Argentina, a win in this match would have elevated them to fourth position, earning an automatic qualification for South Africa 2010. Scores were level, however, until the 84th minute, when Mario Bolatti scored for Argentina, sending them through. Uruguay were forced into a two-legged play-off with CONCACAF's Costa Rica, Diego Lugano scoring the winner as the Charruas claimed the first game 1-0 on the road. In the second game, Sebastian Abreu gave Uruguay the lead in the 69th minute, putting them on the verge of qualification before Costa Rican captain Walter Centeno scored, setting up a nervous finish. But Uruguay held on and now head to their second World Cup finals since 1990, although Tabarez readily admits his side needs considerable improvement.
Star Men
Diego Forlan - The 30-year-old has come of age as a striker since a calamitous spell at Manchester United early in the decade. His move to Villareal in Spain proved a masterstroke as he helped the Yellow Submarines to the Champions League semi-finals in 2005-06 before moving to Atletico Madrid the following year, where he now forms a dangerous partnership with Argentine striker Sergio 'Kun' Aguero.
Diego Lugano - Uruguay captain and a courageous central defender, Lugano's goal in San Jose gave the Charruas a 1-0 win away win over Costa Rica in the first leg of their inter-continental play-off. Plays for Fenerbahce in Turkey and is a fan favourite for his commitment to the contest. However, Lugano will need to be at his best if Uruguay is to improve its consistency and threaten at South Africa 2010.
Stranger than Fiction
In 1930, Uruguay goalkeeper Antonio Mazzali became the Roy Keane of his time as he was expelled from the squad after sneaking out of the team hotel. In the same tournament, a United States physio also managed to knock himself out. Coming onto the pitch he dropped his bottle of chloroform and inhaled the fumes as he went to pick it up.
