Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay will try to climb to the top of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup this Tuesday in Montevideo against defeated Brazil, who have failed to beat them for 22 years, in the most attractive match of the fourth date.

Both teams prepared with special care for this clash, a classic between two of the three teams with the most titles on the continent.

The Celestes and Verdeamarelos came from draws last week, but the result was less bitter for the Uruguayans than the Brazilians: they salvaged a point away to the ever-tough Colombia in the hell of Barranquilla, while Fernando Díniz’s side lost two at home to Venezuela.

Brazil thus relinquished the lead in the qualifiers to Argentina with a perfect score (9 points), while Uruguay remained in fourth place (4 points).

The two coaches will have to make adjustments, in the case of Charrú to improve the defensive zone that created water from time to time in Barranquilla against the coffee growers, and in the case of a “scratch” in the effectiveness of the opponent’s goal.

Against Venezuela, the Brazilian striker didn’t really show her best side (“We failed in the things we shouldn’t have done,” Díniz said after the game), but she was made up of players who are among the most sought after on the planet, such as Vinicius and Neymar.

Against them, Bielsa is expected to take precautions, despite the fact that it is not in his playing philosophy to have personal bests.

In the light blue team, the full-back Matías Viña, who has a good presence in Italian football, will be fit again after the end of the suspension date and could join the defense that Napoli defender Mathías Olivera, a high-performance player, would return as a starter (including the goal ) in Colombia.

Díniz will also be without defender Danilo, who was injured against Venezuela and added to the defensive losses Brazil already had due to physical reasons (including Vanderson, Danilo’s “natural” replacement).

On Saturday, the ‘seleçao’ arrived in Montevideo, where the right back of the English Tottenham, Emerson Royal, arrived the evening before.

The legendary Centenario stadium will be packed to welcome Bielsa’s blues for the second time in official matches on their home ground, which stirs the public and tries to end a very negative streak against the Brazilians.

Uruguay’s last victory was in 2001, and since 2017 they have only lost.

The overall history between the two is clearly in favor of the five-time world champions (38 wins from 78 matches played, against 20 heavenly triumphs), although the balance is balanced if only official matches are taken (17 wins for Brazil and 11 wins for Uruguay in 41 matches).

The referee will be the Venezuelan Alexis Herrera. (D)