2010 FIFA World Cup: Five Things We Learned About Uruguay

During a very boring and defensive match, 10 man Uruguay held on against France to put all four teams level with a point in Group A. Although Uruguay's front two of Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez did not live up to the prematch hype, there are still some positives for the charruas to take from the dour draw.

On the flip side, Oscar Tabarez's men will have to improve drastically if they wish to advance and will certainly have to open up more against South Africa next Wednesday. 

Here are five things we learned about the Celeste : 

1. Uruguay Will Fight to the Death : Call it antifootball or an ultraconservative strategy, but there is no question that Uruguay is a team that will not be easy to break down and will certainly fight for every scrap during this World Cup. Defenders Diego Godin, Diego Lugano, and Victorino are a rugged bunch who gave France's big name attackers plenty of issues, while holding midfielders Diego Perez and Arevalo Rios ran from start to finish, protecting the back line admirably. Uruguay may not be flashy, but this team will be hard to eliminate. The team spirit was also evident, as many players sacrificed themselves for the team, while many of the French players seemed more concerned about not passing to other members of the delegation and complaining to the refs. 

2. Uruguay Suffers From Forlandependencia : A phrase coined by the Argentine press, but the fact is clear: Uruguay will go as Forlan goes. The South Americans only created a few chances, and all of them came through the Atletico Madrid man, as he stung the palms of Hugo Loris and firing just wide from Suarez's knock down. If Uruguay is to make any sort of run in South Africa, Forlan will have to start converting his chances. 

3. Nacho Gonzalez is Not Up to the World Cup Level : Although it was clear the Uruguay went into the match to play for the draw, playmaker Ignacio "Nacho" Gonzalez failed to make an impact on the game forcing Forlan to drop deeper into the midfield to receive the ball. Forlan is at his best in the final third of the field, and if there is no midfielder to put him into dangerous situations it will be a short stay on the African continent for the two-time World Cup Champions. Youngster Nicolas Lodeiro got himself more involved and brought a spark missing while Gonzalez played, but the Ajax midfielder was sent off for a reckless foul on Bacary Sagna and will miss next match, meaning Gonzalez will remain in the first XI. Creativity will have to come from other places, as Gonzalez does not appear to be up for it. 

4. Fernando Muslera is Top Level Goalkeeper : After going through four custodians during qualification, the Lazio man made the number one jersey his own and was one of the standout performers today. Although not as tested as one would have thought, his handling was sensation and he showed good poise on high balls into the box. During qualifying, Uruguay's goalkeeping situation cost the team many points, but now they finally have a reliable man between the sticks. Uruguayans will be hoping the 23 year old can continue playing for the National Team over the next ten years. 

5. Maxi and Alvaro Pereira Must  Push Forward Next Match : Under obvious instructions from Tabarez to sit back, the two Portuguese based wingbacks rarely ventured deep into French territory, allowing the defense to collapse on Forlan and Suarez. Against South Africa, it will be essential that these to men give the Charruas the much needed width they lacked against France. Alvaro, of Porto, is especially dangerous flying down the left flank, but Maxi, of Benfica, will be just as key going down Uruguay's right, South Africa's left, a problem area in the host's match against Mexico.