Uruguay Beats Uzbekistan 2-1 in Friendly – Bielsa’s Reserves Shine

When Marcelo Bielsa, head coach of the Uruguay national football team, fielded a mostly reserve‑heavy XI on October 13, 2025, the stakes were low but the eyes were sharp. Across the pitch, Fabio Cannavaro, the former World Cup‑winning Italian defender now steering the Uzbekistan national football team, was eager to prove his side could match the South American heavyweights. The venue – Hang Jebat Stadium in Malacca, Malaysia – buzzed with 30,000 fans despite the match being a "friendly". Within minutes, it became clear why both teams were there: fine‑tune tactics, test bench depth, and build confidence ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Background and Build‑up

Both nations entered the autumn international break having already secured qualification for the 2026 tournament. Uruguay, after clinching fourth place in the CONMEBOL qualifiers with 28 points, could afford to rest stars like Federico Valverde, Darwin Núñez, and Ronald Araújo. Instead, Bielsa deployed a mix of domestic league stand‑outs and European fringe‑players, hoping to cement new partnerships. Uzbekistan, fresh from a historic qualification – the first ever for a Central Asian side – was under the watchful eye of Cannavaro, who took charge in 2024 and instantly injected a more disciplined, high‑pressing identity.

The two sides had only met once before, a 3‑0 friendly win for Uruguay in 2019. That match, however, was far from official, a fact repeatedly highlighted by match‑statistic sites. The 2025 encounter was therefore a genuine first test of Uzbekistan’s recent rise against a proven World Cup‑regular.

Match Overview and Key Moments

The game kicked off at 12:45 UTC. Uruguay pressed early, forcing Uzbekistan’s goalkeeper Anvar Nematov into a handful of saves. The deadlock was broken in the 51st minute when Facundo Torres latched onto a quick one‑two with Juan Manuel Sanabria and slotted a low drive into the bottom corner. The goal sparked a brief surge of energy from the South Americans.

Sanabria doubled the lead just nine minutes later, threading a precise through‑ball to Torres, who back‑heeled the ball across the face‑off and let Sanabria finish with his right foot. Uzbekistan, however, refused to fold. Captain Eldor Shomurov rallied his teammates, and the breakthrough arrived in the 82nd minute. Substitute Ruslanbek Jiyanov surged into the box and fired a header that beat Uruguay’s keeper, leveling the score at 2‑1.

Despite a flurry of last‑minute attempts, Uruguay held on. The final whistle confirmed a 2‑1 victory, but the scoreline belied a match that was as much about tactical experimentation as it was about goals.

Tactical Insights from Both Coaches

Bielsa’s signature high press was evident from the first half. By compressing space between Uzbekistan’s back line and midfield, Uruguay forced turnovers that led directly to the opening goal. His decision to keep a 4‑3‑3 formation, with wide forwards pressing the full‑backs, created overloads on the flanks. The absence of Valverde and Núñez meant younger players had to shoulder the defensive transition, a task they managed admirably.

Conversely, Cannavaro switched to a compact 4‑2‑3‑1 after going 0‑2 down, pulling his midfielders deeper to congest the central channel. The Italian‑style zonal marking limited Uruguay’s ability to exploit gaps between the lines. Uzbekistan’s substitution patterns – bringing on Jiyanov for Shukurov at 61’ and later inserting him for a more attacking outlet – paid dividends, showcasing Cannavaro’s willingness to adapt on the fly.

The referee, Muhammad Izzul Fikri Kamaruzzaman, kept a tight watch on the high‑intensity pressing, issuing only two yellow cards (one to each side) for dissent. His calm demeanor allowed the flow of play to remain largely uninterrupted.

Reactions and What It Means for the World Cup

Post‑match, Bielsa praised his bench players, noting that "the depth we have is a luxury no team should take for granted". He hinted that several of the stand‑ins could challenge for starting spots in the World Cup, especially if injuries strike. Uruguay’s media framed the win as a morale booster, emphasizing the professionalism of the reserves.

For Uzbekistan, the narrow defeat was a morale‑boosting sign. Cannavaro lauded Jiyanov’s goal, calling it "a statement that Uzbek football can stand toe‑to‑toe with a historic powerhouse". Fans in Tashkent erupted on social media, calling the performance a "preview of what’s to come" in Qatar 2026.

Analysts also noted the broader implications for Asian football. Uzbekistan’s ability to hold Uruguay to a single‑goal margin suggested the region’s competitive gap is narrowing, a trend that could reshape qualification dynamics in future cycles.

Looking Ahead

Both teams will regroup for final preparations before the World Cup. Uruguay will likely reintegrate Valverde and Núñez for the remaining friendlies, sharpening their attacking thrust. Bielsa is expected to experiment with a 3‑5‑2 in the next match, hoping to create a flexible defensive block.

Uzbekistan’s next step is a regional tournament in January 2026, where Cannavaro will test his squad against fellow Asian qualifiers. The lessons from the Malacca friendly – especially the effectiveness of a compact midfield – will inform his strategy.

In short, the 2‑1 scoreline was less about who won and more about what both national teams learned. For Uruguay, it was a rehearsal of squad depth; for Uzbekistan, it was proof that their historic qualification was no fluke.