Uruguay vs. Jordan: 6 Things We Learned
It may not have been the send-off expected by a capacity Centenario crowd, but few will care. Uruguay, for the second consecutive tournament, are going to the World Cup.
With a 5-0 advantage safely in the bag thanks to an imperious away performance against Jordan, the South American side did not overly exert themselves in search of more goals. They kept the ball, patiently probing, while an excellent effort in defence from the West Asian team helped keep their clean sheet intact.
Having completed their last competitive fixtures until hostilities commence in Brazil just under seven months from now, this Uruguay team and Jordan as well certainly gave some food for thought.
The Charrua Are Play-off Kings
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To their South American neighbours, Uruguay are famed for their so-called "Charrua claw." This characteristic allows the Celeste to dig deep in order to triumph, something that has been reflected over and over again with a string of play-off successes.
The nation have been forced to play an extra tie in all four of the last World Cups. In three of those they have managed to win, with 2006's shock loss to Australia the only black mark on that impressive record.
The Celeste did not show their best football in the 2014 qualifying campaign, but history shows that may not be of great significance. After needing a play-off win three years ago, Oscar Tabarez's men marched to the semi-finals, further than any other South American team.
Jordan Can Hold Their Heads High
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Any realistic chance of Jordan qualifying for the World Cup vanished with that painful 5-0 drubbing on home soil. The West Asian nation nonetheless have ample reason to be proud of their performances throughout a marathon quest for a place in Brazil 2014.
For the first time, the side managed to progress to the final round of Asia's campaign. If not for a heart-breaking shoot-out defeat to Uzbekistan, they would already be celebrating a place in the world's premier football tournament.
The likes of Hassan Abdel-Fattah and Ahmad Hayel, who both netted seven goals during qualifying, showed the quality that Jordan are capable of on the pitch, and a battling performance on Wednesday in Montevideo will only increase the side's confidence.
Consistency the Key for Tabarez
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As noted by Tim Vickery for ESPN FC, when Martin Silva entered for the injured Fernando Muslera in the away leg of this play-off, he was only the 28th player used for the entire campaign by coach Oscar Tabarez. This continuity has been crucial in recent years to the success of the relatively tiny nation.
The Celeste used less players than all of their South American rivals, and for years, their first team has been recited almost from memory.
Players may come and go, such as the recent benching of Diego Forlan and Alvaro Pereira, but a strong base means that Uruguay are usually a force to be reckoned with.
The Celeste Have Not Forgotten Their History
4 of 6One of the biggest cheers on Wednesday evening was heard before a ball had even been kicked. A full 63 years after Alcides Ghiggia's goal completed the "Maracanazo" victory over Brazil in the 1950 World Cup final, the game's only survivor received his wish, via Terra.
A stadium of 55,000 people finally shouted in celebration of the strike, with the 86-year-old former star out on the pitch to soak it in. The original, of course, had condemned 200,000 people to a stony silence in Rio de Janeiro as the hosts and favourites were denied.
Uruguay are still the only team to win a World Cup in Brazil. Could history repeat itself?
They Have a Safe Pair of Hands on the Bench
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Goalkeeper Martin Silva has flown under the football radar for essentially his entire football career. Perhaps his loyalty to first club Defensor Sporting, whom he represented for 10 years, held Silva back in his development; but it is criminal that the 30-year-old stopper picked up only his fourth cap this evening.
The former Under-20 international is finally gaining the recognition he deserves playing in one of South America's most respected institutions, and two clean sheets against Jordan, while not exactly the most testing of opposition, can only help his case.
Fernando Muslera will regain the No. 1 jersey on his return, but should the first-choice be downed by injury, Uruguay fans at least know there is a decent replacement waiting in the wings.
Suarez's Goals Will Be Crucial
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The two legs of this play-off were notable for one single curiosity. Luis Suarez, after netting no less than 11 of his side's 25 goals during the first qualifying phase, was unable to find the net against Jordan.
Even without returning to goal-scoring form, however, the Liverpool sharp-shooter shared the qualifying boot as top scorer. Only Robin van Persie of the Netherlands and Belize's Deon Macauley managed to hit as many as the Uruguayan superstar.
Suarez will therefore carry the hopes of a nation into Brazil, although he will not be the only goal-scoring threat by any means. Edinson Cavani, Cristian Rodriguez and Christian Stuani all know where the net is located; not to mention the man unseated by Suarez as the Celeste all-time best marksman, one Diego Forlan.
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