Uruguay managed to qualify for their fifth successive World Cup without too much issue - though they finished fourth in the South American qualifiers, only one point separated Ecuador in second with Paraguay in sixth, and a win in the final match week against bottom side Chile would have seen them finish second, but it was a game that ended in a goalless draw. They were placed in a tough group in the World Cup in Qatar four years ago, and despite picking up four points thanks to a win against Ghana and a goalless draw against South Korea, Uruguay were dumped out of the tournament on goals scored. Two years later in the Copa America, Uruguay managed to make it to the semi finals thanks to a perfect group stage and a win against Brazil on penalties. They finished the tournament in third place thanks to a win against Canada, and this is the momentum that they would be trying to carry into the tournament this summer.