The World Cup is less than six months away and both teams will start their preparation during this international window.
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Mexico will play Uruguay in an international friendly at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Thursday. The World Cup is less than six months away and both teams will start their preparation during this international window. El Tri are heading into the match on the back of an eight-match unbeaten run and will be aiming to try out new players and strengthen their squad. Meanwhile, Uruguay will also seize the opportunity to test themselves against quality opponents and keep improving before the World Cup in Qatar. Meanwhile the big news is the absence of talismanic striker Luis Suarez.
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— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) June 2, 2022
Mexico have conceded only one goal in their previous seven games in all competitions. Gerardo Martino’s side are gearing up to make an eighth consecutive appearance at the World Cup later this year, as they aim to move beyond the last-16 for the first time since 1986. El Tri qualified for the finals in Qatar by finishing second in the Octagon. Surprisingly, Mexico didn’t have a convincing World Cup qualification campaign, scoring a goal or fewer in 11 of their 14 games, winning five of their eight matches by a single goal. Meanwhile USA (2-0) and Canada (2-1) got the better of Mexico in the qualifiers. Canada clinched the top spot in the standings, level on points with Mexico but separated by a superior goal-difference.
As for Uruguay, after a shaky 2021 World Cup qualifying which saw them going winless in four of their five matches, La Celeste managed to turn things around, finishing third in the CONMEBOL table with 28 points. Meanwhile, out of the six matches Diego Alonso’s side lost in the qualifying, four were against Brazil (2) and Argentina (2) respectively. However, Uruguay took full advantage of their fixtures against comparatively weaker South American teams in 2022, winning all four of their qualifiers played this year, advancing to the finals for a 14th time in history. Meanwhile the upcoming friendlies are crucial for Alonso, in order to have a very good look at the squad as he took charge of the team only in December, 2021, replacing Oscar Tabarez, who had occupied the position for around 15 years.
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Mexico have a full-fit squad at the moment and have an impressive set of players going into the game. Raul Jimenez, who is closing in on 100 international caps, with 95 for Mexico heading into the tie, is likely to lead the line this week. Meanwhile Guillermo Ochoa needs to play two more games to draw even with Jorge Campos for the most international caps among Mexican goalkeepers.
As for Uruguay, Suarez is the biggest absentee. The veteran striker was a big part of the qualifying campaign, scoring eight times, but he was not selected for this fixture. Therefore, Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani is likely to lead the attack. The 35-year-old is fourth in all-time caps for the national team with 130, and he can move into a tie with Fernando Muslera for third this week.
Mexico possible starting lineup: Ochoa, Aguirre, Moreno, Dominguez, Gallardo, Cordova, Herrera, Pineda, Flores, Jimenez, Corona
Uruguay possible starting lineup: Rochet, Vina, Araujo, Godin, Varela, Vecino, Torreira, Rossi, Valverde, de Arrascaeta, Cavani.
The international friendly between Mexico and Uruguay will take place at the University of Phoenix Stadium and it will kick off at 7:30 am IST on Friday, Jun 3, 2022
The viewers in the USA can watch the international friendly on FuboTV. Other options are: TUDN USA, UniMás, TUDN App, Univision NOW and TUDN.com.
