Uruguay, Nigeria go head-on
Despite contrasting results in their opening games, Uruguay and Nigeria both approach Thursday’s encounter between the sides in Salvador knowing defeat could spell the end of their Confederations Cup ambitions.
Uruguay lost 2-1 to Spain on Sunday, before Nigeria surged to the Group B summit with a 6-1 demolition of minnows Tahiti, but the meeting of the South American and African champions was always destined to be pivotal.
With both teams expected to lose to world champions Spain and beat Tahiti, a win at Arena Fonte Nova would leave the victors in a very strong position to progress to the last four.
Speaking prior to the Spain defeat, Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez had described the Nigeria fixture as “our key match”, while captain Diego Lugano said the game was “our final”.
Striker Diego Forlan echoed their sentiments, although a draw would leave the qualification situation in the balance ahead of Uruguay’s final group game against Tahiti.
“Losing to Spain is something normal. Now we must forget that match and prepare ourselves to play against Nigeria,” said the talismanic striker, who now plays for Brazilian club Internacional.
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