The Montevideo Centennial is preparing for a titanic clash this Friday, when Uruguay and Chile take to the field in the 2026 Qualifiers. This scenario, which has witnessed glories and feats, will be the backdrop for a confrontation that promises emotions in abundance. Furthermore, he has conceded an overwhelming 20 goals, while his offense has only managed to score on six occasions. For the Sky blueconfront the chileans at home is almost synonymous with victory, since on the nine previous occasions that the ‘Red’ visited Montevideo in the playoffs, they could only scratch one point out of a possible 27.
Confirmed lineups for Uruguay vs. Chili
Uruguay: Sergio Rochet; Nahitan Nández, Sebastián Cáceres, Matías Viña, Joaquín Piquerez; Manuel Ugarte, Federico Valverde, Nicolás De La Cruz; Facundo Pellistri, Maximiliano Araújo, Darwin Núñez.
Chili: Brayan Cortes; Gabriel Suazo, Guillermo Maripán, Gary Medel, Nayel Sepúlveda; Charles Aránguiz, Marcelino Núñez, Erick Pulgar; Diego Valdés, Alexander Aravena, Ben Brereton.
Uruguay vs. Chile: the preview of the match
The team led by Marcelo Bielsa, in his official debut as Uruguay coach, will face the game with a renewed squad, leaving behind some historic players, such as scorer Luis Suárez. Players like Santiago Bueno, Sebastián Cáceres, Felipe Carballo, Emiliano Martínez, Maximiliano Araújo and Cristian Olivera, although talented, have not yet had the opportunity to accumulate minutes in official matches.
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However, the likes of Federico Valverde and Darwin Núñez will be in the line-up, while other notables such as Ronald Araujo, José María Giménez, Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Rodrigo Bentancur will be absent due to injuries and suspensions.
Valverde and Núñez are expected to be fundamental pieces in the starting eleven, following a game system similar to that used in the two previous friendlies under the direction of Bielsa, in which the Celeste defeated Cuba and Nicaragua.
The likely lineup would include players like Sergio Rochet in goal; Nahitan Nández, Sebastián Cáceres, Matías Viña, and Joaquín Piquerez in defense; Valverde, Manuel Ugarte and Nicolás de la Cruz in the center of the field; and Facundo Pellistri, Núñez and Maxi Araújo up front.
Chile, between youth and experience
On the other hand, the Chilean team is also in the process of renewal under the direction of Argentine Eduardo Berizzo. Despite this, prominent members of the “Golden Generation” will have a leading role in the team, led by the experienced Alexis Sánchez and Arturo Vidal, who will be accompanied by other two-time champions from America such as Gary Medel and Charles Aránguiz.
In addition, La Roja will have young promises such as Juan Delgado, Gabriel Suazo, Víctor Méndez, Marcelino Núñez and Alexander Aravena, some of whom could be part of the starting eleven.
Chile’s lineup could be made up of Bryan Cortés in goal; Delgado, Medel, Guillermo Maripán, Suazo in defense; Vidal, Erick Pulgar and Aránguiz in the center of the field; and Núñez, Sánchez and Benjamín Brereton Díaz up front.
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