Nigeria vs. Uruguay: 6 Things We Learned from Confederations Cup Match

The key battle for both these sides in Group B resulted in a 2-1 win for Uruguay.

Goals from Diego Lugano and Diego Forlan either side of halftime were enough for the South Americans to overcome Nigeria, whose goal was scored by John Obi Mikel.

The momentum of the game switched back and forth several times in an enthralling encounter, but the experienced Uruguayans held on in the face a late charge to take all three points.

Nigeria are now at long odds to progress out of the group and must hope for an unlikely result against Spain in their final game.

Here are six talking points from another entertaining Confederations Cup fixture.

Diego Lugano Still Has Tricks Up His Sleeve but Is No Longer World-Class

The rugged Uruguayan center-back, after a shaky display against Spain, again showed he no longer has the legs to provide adequate defensive cover for his side.

Lugano knows every trick in the book, as he demonstrated early on with an accidentally-on-purpose hand in the face of Ahmed Musa, and he even found the back of the net for the ninth time in international football by being in the right place at the right time. However, at the age of 32 he often finds himself unable to contain younger, more nimble opponents.

John Obi Mikel exposed the 83-match veteran's leaden footwork on the 37th-minute mark when he danced around him as though he were a training cone before curling in a sweet goal from the edge of the box.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez should consider using this Confederations Cup campaign to usher in a new enforcer at the back to take Uruguay forward, as Lugano limping off after receiving a yellow card will mean he misses the next match through suspension.

Lugano is a legendary player for the Celestes, but this dog of war has seen his day.

Diego Forlan Remains a Champion

Another mythical Uruguayan, Diego Forlan, would probably admit his best days as a footballer are behind him as well.

He has the fortune of playing a different role to Lugano, however, in a position where a lack of pace is less critical to his side's chances.

Forlan, in his 100th game for the Celestes, showed exactly why he is still a highly useful asset to his team, even if he is not in the same devastating form as he was when he led them to the World Cup semi-finals in 2010 or the Copa America title a year later.

Even aside from his beautifully taken goal, "La Rubia" demonstrated his value as a No. 10, a job that does not necessarily require great speed, by linking midfield and attack and executing dangerous free kicks all evening. 

Uruguay's all-time top scorer still has more to contribute at the international level.

The Nigerians Have Plenty of Ticker

In the early stages of this contest it looked as though Nigeria would be overwhelmed by their Uruguayan opponents. They remained pressed back in their own half band unable to get ahold of the ball.

Perhaps the Africans were underdone coming into this fixture, having arrived at the tournament late before taking on minnows Tahiti in their opening game.

It came as no surprise when Lugano scored the opener for the South Americans in the 19th minute, as the pressure had been mounting on the Nigerian defense up to that point.

Rather than sitting back even further or falling apart completely at that point, the Nigerians showed their fighting spirit to gradually wrestle control of the midfield and work their way back into the match.

John Obi Mikel's goal on 37 minutes was just reward for their efforts.

Uruguay took the lead once more in the second half, and although this time the Super Eagles were unable to equalize, they threw everything at their opponents in the dying stages.

It was this kind of dogged determination that saw Nigeria take out the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year and will serve them well in the future.

Ahmed Musa Is Hot Property

The 20-year-old CSKA Moscow player came into this tournament with a burgeoning reputation, and he has showed so far that the hype is merited. 

Though he remains a diamond in the rough, Musa's potential as a world-class game-breaker is clear.

At just 5'7" and slight of frame, Musa will never be a target man-type striker, but with his array of skills he can fill just about any other role across the front line.

Equally dangerous as a second striker, or cutting in from a wide position on either flank, the kid from Jos is blessed with electric pace, excellent close control and eagle-eyed passing vision.

One of those rare players who can confidently run at opponents, Musa wriggled like an eel through the Uruguayan defense on numerous occasions in this match, drawing fouls and creating a sense of mild panic whenever he got the ball.

If he can add a more clinical finishing technique to his game, he could become a true superstar.

John Obi Mikel Needs to Be Loved

We did not learn today that John Obi Mikel plays much better for Nigeria than he does for Chelsea, as we have known that for a long time.

The London club signed Mikel in the first place because of his brilliant performances as an attacking midfielder for the Super Eagles at the 2005 World Youth Championships. Since that time, he has gone on to impress at major tournaments for his senior national side.

For whatever reason, various managers at Chelsea have mainly used this talented individual as a water carrier in the center of the park, entrusted only with relaying the ball from one teammate to another while shielding the defense with his imposing frame.

When wearing the green of Nigeria, however, the 26-year-old is given license to express himself creatively, and he repays the faith placed in him by producing some exquisite football.

His goal against Uruguay illustrated how much more confident a player Mikel is when he appears for Nigeria.

Nigeria Will Need a Miracle Against Spain

This match was always going to be the crucial one in the group stage for both Nigeria and Uruguay, and with the Super Eagles coming out of it with zero points, their hopes of progressing to the semi-finals took a massive nosedive.

With Uruguay all but guaranteed to inflict a heavy defeat on Tahiti in their final group game, Nigeria must now attempt to get a result against world champions Spain.

Based on the four games we have witnessed so far in Group B, the Super Eagles have their work cut out for them, even if the already-qualified Europeans put out a second string team.

Just getting hold of the ball will likely prove a monumental task against Spain, so Nigeria's midfield in particular will have to produce something special if their side are to stand any chance.

On the plus side, they have little to lose, and we already know they are a battling unit, so the miracle result they need will not be impossible to pull off.

That is how the Nigerians need to approach the game, at least.