Sports Mole previews Thursday’s international friendly match between Mexico and Uruguay, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
With less than three weeks until the Copa America kicks off, both Mexico And Uruguay are intensifying their preparations by meeting in Denver on Wednesday evening.
While an experimental Mexican team beat Bolivia in their first friendly in June, an unknown La Celeste outfit was held to a draw by Costa Rica last time out.
Match Preview
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Despite appointing a young starting XI, Mexico managed to win 1-0 against Bolivia in Chicago last weekend, thanks to a second-half goal from Efrain Alvarez which is enough to ensure success in the first of three Copa America warm-up matches.
El Tri will face Ecuador, Jamaica and Venezuela in Group B, and has chosen to prepare with two difficult tests over the next few days: after facing Uruguay in Colorado, it will have to face Brazil in Texas.
The head coach Jaime Lozano is expected to recall several major players for both matches, looking to build further momentum following the recent CONCACAF Nations League final defeat to the Mexicans’ oldest foes, the United States.
This painful defeat continues Mexico’s mixed results since the end of 2023, and Lozano’s position has been questioned by fans and pundits.
After leading the national under-23 team to a bronze medal at Tokyo 2020, the former Necaxa boss may need an equally impressive Copa America result if he is to survive the sacking and prepare at a World Cup organized partly at home.
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While Mexico plays its tournament opener on June 23 against Jamaica, an ambitious Uruguay team kicks off its quest for a 16th continental title by meeting Panama a day later. Their other opponents are Bolivia and the United States, the host country.
Head coach of La Celeste, eccentric tactical maestro Marcelo Bielsais far more assured in his position than Lozano, even though the Argentine was absent in Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Costa Rica.
Instead, Diego Perezmember of the Uruguayan coaching team that won the Under-20 World Cup last year, took charge of a squad made up entirely of uncapped players.
Ignoring that result, while Bielsa’s full squad will be back in action on Wednesday, Uruguay have scored in every game since losing 2-0 to Portugal at Qatar 2022 and sit second in the long run of qualification for the CONMEBOL World Cup, after beating Brazil and Argentina.
In March, they suffered a 2-1 friendly defeat to Ivory Coast – the African champions inflicting Bielsa’s second defeat since their arrival last year – but La Celeste remain well placed to challenge for the crown this summer.
Friendly form of Mexico:
Mexico form (all competitions):
Uruguay friendly form:
Uruguay form (all competitions):
Team News
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Currently playing the final phase of his long and successful career at Boca Juniors, the veteran Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani surprisingly announced his retirement from international football last Thursday.
The 37-year-old was an integral member of his country’s Copa America triumph in 2011, but is now Liverpool’s player. Darwin Nuñez leads the line for La Céleste.
Jose Maria Gimenez captain of the South American central defense team; Manuel Ugarté And Rodrigo Bentancur should patrol the midfield.
Meanwhile, stars including Ronald Araujobest striker Luis Suarez and recent Champions League winner Federico Valverde were all excused from Wednesday’s match.
Mexico fielded no less than eight debutants last time out, including one – Ricardo Monreal – scoring the only goal against Bolivia.
However, Jaime Lozano will return to a much stronger starting lineup in Colorado, so Santiago Gimenez – scorer of 23 Eredivisie goals for Feyenoord last season – should start up top.
With 76 selections to his credit, Edson Alvarez is El Tri’s main man in midfield, while Genoa’s Johan Vasquez should feature in central defense; experienced threesome Jesus Gallardo, Hirving Lozano and goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa were not called.
Mexico possible starting lineup:
Malagon; J. Sánchez, Montes, Vasquez, Arteaga; Chavez, Alvarez, E. Sánchez; Antuna, Giménez, Vega
Possible starting lineup for Uruguay:
Ratchet; Nandez, Cáceres, Gimenez, Olivera; Bentancur, Ugarte, C. Araujo; Pellistri, Nunez, B. Rodriguez
We say: Mexico 1-2 Uruguay
Both teams fielded weakened teams last time out, but they will step up a gear in their penultimate pre-Copa America friendly.
Given the offensive ability both coaches have, the Colorado home side should be in for goals, with Bielsa’s Uruguay the most likely to claim victory.
For data analysis of most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, please click here.
