FIFA U-20 World Cup: How Uruguay emulated a typical Spanish performance

In a match full of energy, excitement and enterprise, Uruguay beat Spain 1-0, after extra time, to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup. You would expect this to be because of Spain not taking their chances, with Uruguay just about holding on at the back and nipping a goal on the break, but it really wasnt. It was clear right from the start which side was on top, and it stayed that way for the vast majority of the game. Plus, there were not that many chances created, so that wasnt really a factor in the outcome. Spain lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which has been typical for them throughout this tournament. They set out as a seemingly very well balanced side with an excellent, modern, quick and elegant centre-back in Derik, two very energetic and welldisciplined pivots in Jose Campana and Saul Ninguez, metronomic passing ability in Oliver Torres, lots of flair in Suso, someone who has outstanding potential in most areas in Gerard Deulofeu and a very mobile, quick goal scorer in Jese Rodriguez. They had not lost a game so far at the finals, so hopes were high and most neutrals would have envisaged Spain outdoing Uruguay in quality, efficiency, discipline, awareness, concentration and most other areas that you can think of. Uruguay, however, started with a more Spanish reminiscent formation; an attacking 4-3-3. They are a side focused around high intensity, taking their chances when winning the ball high up the pitch and getting the best out of their direct, flamboyant winger in Diego Laxalt, who is contracted to Inter Milan. As I have mentioned earlier, it was clear that Uruguay were up for the occasion from the start. As you may have expected, Spain had the majority of possession, but not only did Uruguay stick to their tasks off the ball, they put the work-rate in to ripely snuffle out the influence of Spains key attackers, even in deep areas.

This particularly affected Liverpool playmaker Suso, he lacked the intelligence to operate with two Uruguay players constantly onto him almost every time he touched the ball. Oliver Torres was just coming too deep for the ball, and he was fairly anonymous. As a result of this relentless besieging by Uruguay, which at times mounted to the majority of their own half, they could not get their attacking players involved, they could not get Jese and Deulofeu in behind Uruguays defence, and they duly could not create very much, other than one strange corner that nearly resulted in a goal from the latter. As a result of Spains anxiousness, naiveity and timidness, they gradually had less of the ball and stood up to Uruguay a lot less as the game progressed. Diego Laxalt, who I have mentioned earlier, caused them endless problems, driving forward at every opportunity, showing excellent close control, two good feet and an eye for goal as the match progressed. The 4-3-3 gradually grew higher for Uruguay as the match progressed. I have outlined Spain carrying out this tactic previously, and Uruguay used this to their advantage; to distinction. Julen Lopetegui, the manager of Spain, merely glanced in remorse as Spain continuously gave the ball away, lacked any cutting edge, lacked any energy and gifted Uruguay a succession of chances before and after their goal. The two pivots, mentioned earlier, typified this perceived lack of energy, as well as showing a real lack of mobility, the lively presence of Nicolas Lopez caused a lot of problems for Spain, a collected effort of three Spanish players was often required to deal with the aforementioned Diego Laxalt, while Giorgian De Arrascaeta and Diego Rolan proved tricky customers. Regardless of what happened on 6th July, Spain are still the strongest and the toughest team to beat in World Football at every level that I am closely aware of. When two teams step out onto the pitch, a lot of different things can happen and this can be for a lot of different factors. On this occasion, Uruguay simply looked more confident going into it, seemingly had a better game plan and had the sufficient quality to go through. Whats remarkable about football, other than La Liga of course, is how unpredictable it is. Even Gary Neville has remarked on how many times he has underestimated this.