Luis Suarez's Uruguay risks missing FIFA World Cup berth after Bolivia defeat

Two-time World Cup champion Uruguay will finish year out of qualifying positions for a spot in Qatar, likely in seventh place in 10-team round robin competition.

squad with veteran strikers Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani lost 3-0 at Bolivia on Tuesday and will have to make it up in four remaining matches to reach tournament it has played in consecutively since 2010.

Uruguay will finish Tuesday’s round in seventh position in South American qualifiers unless Chile and Colombia suffer heavy losses at home against Ecuador and Paraguay, respectively.

top four teams in South America earn direct entry to World Cup. fifth-place team goes into an intercontinental playoff for a spot in Qatar next year.

Bolivia opened scoring in 30th minute when goalkeeper Fernando Muslera failed to hold Juan Carlos Arce’s cross. Marcelo Martins got second in altitude of La Paz with a header in 45th.

Arce put final numbers on scoreboard in 79th minute with ar header. It could have been worse for Uruguay had Bolivia t missed a penalty in second half.

Uruguay coach Óscar Tabárez said in a press conference he’s t “throwing in towel.”

“I am a professional, I signed a contract and it says everything I need to do,” veteran coach said. “I don’t kw who can ask me to do that (resign) after this time at work.”

During his second spell with Uruguay, Tabárez took team to past three World Cups, including a memorable campaign to semifinals in South Africa in 2010. He has also won 2011 Copa America.

Brazil leads South American qualifiers with 34 points, six ahead of second place Argentina. Both teams have completed 12 games, one fewer than y should because ir encounter in September was suspended after seven minutes due to COVID-19 protocols. FIFA will decide what to do with match. two rivals face off later in San Juan.

Regardless of its result against Chile, Ecuador, with 20 points, will remain in third position.

Peru skipped ahead of Uruguay after a 2-1 win at Venezuela, putting Ricardo Gareca’s team momentarily in fourth position with 17 points.

Gianluca Lapadula opened scoring for visitors in 18th minute. Venezuela’s Darwin Machis equalized in 52nd minute. Christian Cueva netted winner in 65th minute, with Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese saving a penalty to keep his team in lead.

Uruguay will play at Paraguay and Chile and host Venezuela and Peru in its decisive matches of World Cup qualifiers next year.