Colombia vs Uruguay

Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez is the venue as Colombia and Uruguay go head-to-head in a blockbuster 2026 World Cup qualifying contest.

After missing out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Colombia’s bid to reach the final tournament for the third time since 1998 has been off to a promising start. Following a narrow 1-0 home triumph over continental minnows Venezuela, ‘Los Cafeteros’ held Chile to a tepid 0-0 draw on the road last time out, displaying another stellar defensive performance. Indeed, Nestor Lorenzo’s men have been a tough nut to crack of late, registering an eye-catching nine shutouts across their last 13 internationals. Lorenzo’s appointment as the new chief of staff in July 2022 has proved a turning point for the sleeping South American giants, as the 57-year-old manager has yet to lose a game in charge (W7, D3). However, with Colombia going winless in their last four World Cup qualifying H2Hs against Uruguay (D2, L2), this clash could be his sternest test yet.

As for visiting Uruguay, an emphatic 3-1 opening-day triumph over Chile went into oblivion after they let a slender lead slip through their fingers in a lackluster 2-1 defeat at Ecuador last time out. That result forms part of the Uruguayans’ long-standing problems in away World Cup qualifiers, with ‘La Celeste’ now winless in 14 of their last 18 such fixtures (W4, D5, L9). New manager Marcelo Bielsa surrendered his perfect three-match start at the helm in that loss in Ecuador, which saw his side clock up a mere five shots on goal. But this trip sounds like a prime opportunity for Uruguay to get back on track, at least considering their dominant record across the last 14 H2Hs (W8, D3, L3).