Preview: Canada vs. Uruguay - prediction, team news, lineups

La Celeste had a seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions end last Friday, losing 1-0 to Iran, while the Canucks have triumphed in two of their previous three international encounters.

Match preview

For a side that had not played an international game in over three months, the Canadians showed no signs of rust on Friday, scoring twice before the game was 15 minutes old.

The start was outstanding, but to the delight of manager John Herdman, his side kept their foot on the gas throughout the match, holding the World Cup hosts to only two shots on target, while collecting 61% of the possession, a rarity for a team who thrived in transition during CONCACAF qualifying.

It was a big statement victory for a side still without a contract agreement heading into the World Cup, not to mention the numerous questions surrounding how this team would fare with several key players struggling to earn playing time at club level.

Friday was their first victory against a non-CONCACAF opponent since beating New Zealand 1-0 in a friendly over four years ago.

You have to go back more than 22 years for the last time they defeated a side from CONMEBOL, blanking Colombia 2-0 to capture the Gold Cup in 2000.

That was the last time this team had lifted a trophy on the international stage, and since that victory, they have only scored in two matches versus teams from South America, drawing Venezuela 2-2 in 2007 and 1-1 in 2010.

Les Rouges have won 22 consecutive encounters in which they tallied the opening goals while failing to concede in their last six fixtures when drawing first blood.

It has been over three years since Canada have lost when leading or tied at the interval, conceding three second-half tallies versus Haiti at the 2019 Gold Cup Quarter-Finals, after leading that match 2-0.

Tuesday will be the final opportunity for the Uruguayan players to make an impression on the international stage before la Celeste make their fourth successive World Cup appearance.

Diego Alonso suffered his first defeat on Friday since taking over from longtime coach Oscar Tabarez, who had guided this team for 15 years, leading them to a World Cup Semi-Final appearance in 2010 and a Copa America title the following year.

Defensively this team look just as stingy under Alonso as they did with his predecessor, conceding only two goals in their previous eight matches.

For a side that have plenty of tournament experience, combined with some promising young playmakers, there have been questions surrounding the balance of this group and what would their best recipe for success in Qatar.

No matter their form or who is available for selection, Uruguay have almost always managed to compete hard and put together some solid performances.

La Celeste have qualified for the last eight or further in all but one Copa America tournament since 1993, while also making it beyond the group stage in three successive World Cups.

Being drawn into a group with Portugal, South Korea and Ghana at the 2022 finals, the minimum expectation for la Celeste will be to make it through to the knockout stage in a competition which could very well be the last hurrah for a few of their iconic veterans.

Uruguay have not lost to a CONCACAF opponent since falling 3-1 to Mexico in the group stage of the 2016 Copa America, while have faced three sides from that region this year and posted three clean sheets against Mexico (3-0), the USA (0-0) and Panama (5-0).

Canada International Friendlies form:

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Uruguay International Friendlies form:

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Uruguay form (all competitions):

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Team News

Cyle Larin scored a record 25th goal for Canada in their victory over Qatar, while Jonathan David drew even with former striker Dwayne De Rosario for second in all-time goals with his 22nd on Friday.

Sam Adekugbe assisted on the opening goal, and Milan Borjan collected his second clean sheet in the last three matches for the Canadians.

Tajon Buchanan did not feature in the friendly against Qatar as he is still dealing with a recurring quad injury sustained in pre-season at Brugge, while Ike Ugbo replaced Alphonso Davies after an hour when the Bayern Munich wingback suffered an apparent knock against the Maroon, which according to reports appears to be minor.

Samuel Piette has a chance to move into sole possession of ninth in all-time caps for les Rouges if he features on Tuesday, Junior Hoilett wore the captain's armband on Friday in place of the injured Atiba Hutchinson, while Charles-Andreas Brym made his first appearance of the year for Canada on Friday.

On Friday Sergio Rochet conceded for the first time in his last six international matches between the sticks for Uruguay, Rodrigo Bentancur picked up his 50th cap for the national team and Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez started for the first time since la Celeste drew 0-0 with the US in June.

Luis Suarez has a chance to move into sole possession of second in all-time caps for Uruguay, drawing even with goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and Valencia striker Edinson Cavani, who was not selected for these friendlies.

Giorgian De Arrascaeta has the most assists in the Brasileiro Serie A, tallying eight so far with Flamengo, Matias Vecino leads Lazio with two goals on their current Europa League campaign and Federico Valverde scored the winner at the Madrid derby helping Real defeat Atletico 2-1, his third of the domestic campaign.

Canada possible starting lineup:

Crepeau; Adekugbe, Kennedy, Vitoria, Johnston; Eustaquio, Kaye; Millar, Hoilett, Corbeanu; Larin

Uruguay possible starting lineup:

Rochet; Cabrera, Caceres, Araujo, D. Suarez; Bentancur, De Arrascaeta, Valverde; Nunez, L. Suarez, Pellistri

We say: Canada 0-1 Uruguay

Les Rouges have faced some stingy defensive units in the past, but none with the kind of poise and commitment of Uruguay, who are challenging to break down and vastly experienced.

We anticipate this will be a close game, while the Uruguayans' desire to slow down the pace of this game may frustrate a youthful Canadian side who enjoy playing counter-attacking football.

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