BARRIO – Luis Suarez is Uruguay’s all-time top goal scorer, but his performance in the 0-0 draw against South Korea was not impressive. He touched the ball 18 times, losing it on nine of those occasions, and did not manage a single shot on goal.

Approaching 36, it is hardly surprising that Suarez is in decline. True, he was Uruguay’s top scorer in qualification with eight goals, but five of those came from penalties. Suarez was replaced after an ineffective hour against South Korea, and it is because of this, that he found himself starting on the bench for Uruguay’s clash against Portugal.

Ever since Russia 2018, Uruguay have attempted to integrate their new generation of stars with the veterans. As seen during World Cup qualifying, it has not worked. It took a change of coach and a late surge for Uruguay to qualify..