Suarez and Cavani take last dance but Uruguay needing new World Cup heroes (2024)

WORLD CUP 2022 PREVIEW: URUGUAY: The nation are looking to better disappointing quarter-final exit with Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani set for their last dance at the tournament

Suarez and Cavani take last dance but Uruguay needing new World Cup heroes (1)

It could be said that this World Cup is the 'last dance' for a number of footballing legends.

There has been a lot of attention surrounding Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo with the duo set to embark on their last major global tournaments, but not much has been said about Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. The Uruguay pair have written their name into World Cup history over the years, with Suarez (7) and Cavani (5) inside the top 75 goalscorers in the competition since its introduction in 1930.

Suarez made his World Cup debut in 2010 - a tournament that the forward will never forget. Uruguay blitzed through a group that consisted of France, South Africa and Mexico, with the ex-Liverpool man directly contributing to three goals. Meanwhile, Cavani started in a front-two alongside Suarez in every group game, although the Valencia forward notched just one assist in the process.

It was a strike partnership that drew headlines across the planet as Suarez and Cavani helped Uruguay past South Korea in the Last-16, with the former scoring twice in that game. However, Suarez caused plenty of controversy in the quarter-final against Ghana as he was sent off for a deliberate handball on the goal-line.

With the scores level, Dominic Adiyiah's header was flying towards the back of the net in the 120th minute before Suarez stepped in and handled the ball, preventing Ghana from winning the game. Suarez was giving his marching orders and was praying that Fernardo Muslera would spare his blushers as Asamoah Gyan stepped up from the spot.

But Gyan squandered the chance to give Ghana the win as the game went straight to penalties. And you know the rest. Uruguay went onto win the shootout 5-3 and secure their passage into the semi-final against the Netherlands.

A Suarez-less Uruguay couldn't reach the final as they fell to an agonising 3-2 defeat against the Dutch, with Cavani being partnered up front by Diego Forlan. Suarez returned for the third place play-off, although the ex-Barcelona hero couldn't find the net as Germany ran out 3-2 winners in South Africa.

The four years between the 2010 and the 2014 tournament is where Suarez and Cavani really found the world stage at club level, with the former almost helping Liverpool to win the Premier League. Meanwhile, Cavani earned a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain from Napoli, with the striker netting 25 goals in the season leading up to the tournament in Brazil.

In a surprise decision, Suarez was named on the bench for Uruguay's opening game against Costa Rica and it was a choice that backfired as the Latin America nation ran out 3-1 winners. The Sky Blue went back to their tride and trusted front-two of Suarez and Cavani for the clash with England, and it worked. Suarez netted a brace for Uruguay as they defeated 2-0 - a much-needed win heading into the final group game against Italy.

What's your favourite memory of Uruguay in recent years? Let us know in the comments below!

Then came another piece of controversy surrounding Suarez. The five-time La Liga champion appeared to bite Giorgio Chiellini during their 1-0 victory over the Italians, however, the incident wasn't picked up by the referee.

However, Suarez was retrospectively banned by FIFA, meaning he was ruled out of their Last-16 clash with Colombia - a game Uruguay lost 2-0 with Cavani struggling throughout. Suarez received a nine-game international ban for his bite, but it didn't put Barcelona off as they completed the signing of the highly-sought after striker in the same summer after his record-breaking campaign at Liverpool.

The 2018 World Cup in Russia provided Suarez and Cavani the last real opportunity to perform at the peak of their powers after the pair struck a combined 71 club goals in the 2017/18 season for PSG and Barcelona. Uruguay came into the competition as one of the favourites and they found their stride in the group stages, collecting nine points from a possible nine following wins over Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Russia.

Cavani was the star of the show for the Sky Blue in the Last-16 as they shocked Portugal, with the ex-Manchester United man striking twice in a 2-1 victory. But Uruguay's tournament came to an end with a 2-0 loss against eventual winners France in the quarter-final, with Suarez striking two times across the World Cup.

Fast forward four years and Uruguay look a slightly different proposition with a new talisman in town. That is in the form of Liverpool hotshot Darwin Nunez, who will be keen to follow in the footsteps of Suarez and Cavani and shine at the tournament. Nunez is expected to start in a front two alongside Suarez with Federico Valverde and Rodrigo Bentancur providing support from midfield.

This could well be Suarez and Cavani's last World Cup's, with the pair now 35 and they will be keen to end with a bang. Uruguay face South Korea in their opening group game on Thursday, before they take on Portugal and Ghana. This is a tricky-looking group for the Sky Blue but they will fancy themselves to reach at least the knockout rounds.

Suarez and Cavani take last dance but Uruguay needing new World Cup heroes (2024)

FAQs

Why is Cavani not playing for Uruguay? ›

Uruguay's Edinson Cavani announced his retirement from international football ahead of Copa America 2024. The 37-year-old, who has not appeared for his country since their group stage exit at the 2022 World Cup, called time before the tournament kicks off in the United States.

Who has more goals between Suarez and Cavani? ›

Behind Leo are two Uruguayan legends. In second place is his club team mate Luis Suárez with 557 goals, while third place is occupied by Edinson Cavani with 440 goals.

Who took Uruguay out of the World Cup? ›

Uruguay secured a 2-0 win over Ghana but both nations were dumped out of the World Cup after South Korea secured a last-gasp victory against Portugal.

Does Cavani play for Uruguay? ›

Edinson Cavani has announced his retirement from playing for Uruguay, meaning he will not represent his country in this summer's Copa América in the United States. Cavani, 37, scored 58 goals in 136 appearances for Uruguay and was part of the team that won the 2011 Copa America title.

Why is Luis Suarez not playing for Uruguay in the Copa America 2024? ›

Luis Suárez out of Uruguay's starting lineup

The Inter Miami striker will wait on the substitutes' bench as in the last three matches due to Bielsa's footballing decision. It should be noted that the Uruguayan team's all-time top scorer has seen very few minutes in the Copa América 2024.

Will Luis Suarez play for Uruguay again? ›

Inter Miami striker Luis Suárez will join the Uruguay national team for the 2024 Copa América, headlining manager Marcelo Bielsa's 26-man roster alongside Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez and Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde.

Why is Uruguay so good at football? ›

It's a “really great, very well thought-out, very well organized structure, which spans the entire country,” Marcelo Bielsa, the Argentine who coaches Uruguay's national team, said last month. “And that, complemented by genetics,” Bielsa said, is why Uruguay produces so many elite soccer players.

Has Uruguay missed a World Cup? ›

From 1974 to 2006, there were five occasions when Uruguay failed to qualify for the World Cup. The competitive nature of South American qualifying played a big part in that, but there was also a realization that the Garra Charrúa was no longer enough.

Why did Uruguay host the World Cup? ›

FIFA, football's international governing body, selected Uruguay as the host nation, as the country would be celebrating the centenary of its first constitution and the Uruguay national football team had successfully retained their football title at the 1928 Summer Olympics.

Has Cavani retired? ›

Retirement. On 30 May 2024, Cavani announced his retirement from the national team. His last match was in Uruguay's 2–0 victory over Ghana in the group stages of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, on 2 December.

Is Suarez retired? ›

Luis Suarez has dropped a major hint that he is ready to retire from international football. The former Barcelona star joined Inter Miami at the end of 2023 on a one year contract in Florida. Suarez turned 37 in January and he is already making plans to call time on a superb career.

Who is the best soccer player for Uruguay? ›

Some of the best Uruguay soccer players include national legends like Diego Forlan, Luis Suárez, Maxi Pereira, Edinson Cavani, Cristian Rodríguez, and Ángel Romano. There are also current Uruguay football stars such as Darwin Núñez, Federico Valverde, and Diego Godín, who are making an impact across the globe.

Why is Cavani not playing Copa América? ›

Edinson Cavani announced his retirement from the Uruguayan national team in May after learning that Marcelo Bielsa would not call him up for the Copa América.

Has Cavani retired from international football? ›

May 30 (Reuters) - Uruguay's Boca Juniors striker Edinson Cavani announced his retirement from international football on Thursday.

What team does Cavani play for in 2024? ›

On 29 July 2023, Cavani joined Boca Juniors on a free transfer and a deal running until December 2024. Two days later, Boca Juniors presented him at an unveiling ceremony as their new signing.

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