In a highly anticipated encounter for the South American World Cup qualifiers, the Uruguayan national team faced off against Bolivia at the Hernando Siles Stadium in El Alto on March 25, 2025. The match commenced at 17:00 hours, with both teams aiming to secure vital points in a challenging atmosphere set 4,150 meters above sea level.
The game concluded with a scoreless draw, as neither side could break the deadlock. Uruguayan coach Marcelo Bielsa deployed a 4-4-2 formation, fielding Sergio Rochet in goal, supported by Guillermo Varela, José María Giménez, Sebastián Cáceres, and Mathías Olivera in defense. The midfield consisted of Cristian Olivera, Manuel Ugarte, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Maxi Araujo, while Federico Viñas and Rodrigo Aguirre led the attack.
Conversely, Bolivia, under the guidance of Oscar Villegas, opted for a 4-3-3 arrangement. Guillermo Viscarra guarded the net, with Diego Medina, Luis Haquín, Efraín Morales, and José Sagredo forming the backline. The midfield included Robson Tomé, Héctor Cuellar, and Gabriel Villamil, with Ramiro Vaca spearheading the attack alongside Miguel Terceros and Víctor Ábrego.
As the match progressed, Bolivia seemed to have the upper hand in terms of offensive efforts, registering a staggering 32 shots compared to Uruguay's fewer attempts. However, the Bolivians were unable to capitalize on their chances. A notable moment occurred in the 68th minute when Vaca unleashed a powerful shot that struck the post, denying Bolivia a crucial goal.
Despite the lack of goals, Sebastián Cáceres emerged as the standout player for Uruguay, flawlessly clearing six balls from danger zones and contributing significantly to his team's defensive efforts. "Sebastián Cáceres was the figure of the match. He played a key role by clearing six balls outside the danger area," reported by The Washington Post.
Both coaches made strategic substitutions in the second half, with Bielsa bringing in Federico Valverde, Darwin Núñez, Nahitan Nández, and Facundo Pellistri to attempt to shift the tide in Uruguay's favor. For Bolivia, Moisés Paniagua, Roberto Fernández, and Lucas Chávez were introduced to invigorate play.
The result left Bolivia in a precarious position, now sitting seventh in the standings with 14 points and a goal difference of -16. Meanwhile, Uruguay’s draw helped them maintain their fourth place with 21 points. The scoreline exacerbated Bolivia's struggles after earlier conceding a 2-2 draw to Paraguay, making this result particularly disappointing as they seek to qualify for the upcoming World Cup.
"Ramiro Vaca took a tremendous shot in the 68th minute of the second half, and the ball hit the post," reported by Yahoo Sports, underscoring the frustrations felt by the Bolivian squad.
As the tournament progresses, both teams will be looking ahead to their upcoming fixtures. Bolivia prepares for a challenging away match against Venezuela while Uruguay gears up to face Paraguay in their next qualifier. Each match becomes increasingly important as they vie for a coveted spot in the World Cup.
With this draw, Uruguay may take a sigh of relief, yet they remain a mixed bag in recent performances, having managed only six points from their last five matches. Both teams must adapt and respond quickly to enhance their chances of success in the remaining matches of these qualifiers.
