Venezuela 0-0 Uruguay: Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani fail to break down resolute home side as Oscar Tabarez's men edge closer to a spot in Russia

  • Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez started Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani up front 
  • Suarez went down in the area on 69 minutes but referee ignored his protests
  • He then missed the target with a diving header from Cristian Rodriguez's cross
  • Cavani was put through on goal with seven minutes remaining but fired wide 
  • Uruguay can seal their third consecutive World Cup spot with win over Bolivia  
  • Venezuela finish bottom of South American qualifying with just a single victory 

Uruguay failed to break down Venezuela in a 0-0 draw on Thursday and were left waiting to bag what looks a certain place at the 2018 World Cup finals.

The Uruguayans, second in the South American group behind already qualified Brazil (38), are on 28 points and could secure their berth in Russia when three other qualifiers are played later in the region.

Semi-finalists in South Africa in 2010, Uruguay expect to take one of four automatic South American berths and go into a third successive finals.


It will be the first time in five qualifying campaigns this century that Uruguay have avoided an inter-confederation playoff. 

They have reached three finals via two-legged playoffs since 2002, but missed out on Germany 2006 after losing to Australia. 

More to follow 

Edinson Cavani reacts after missing a good chance during the match in San Cristobal

Edinson Cavani reacts after missing a good chance during the match in San Cristobal

Luis Suarez was denied a penalty after going down in the Venezuela area in the 69th minute

Luis Suarez was denied a penalty after going down in the Venezuela area in the 69th minute

MATCH STATISTICS 

Venezuela (4-4-2): Farinez; Quijada, Villanueva, Chancellor, Garcia; Moreno, Cordova (Soteldo 80), Murillo (Lucena 83), Rincon; Rondon, Martinez (Otero 69)

Booking: Villanueva, Rincon 

Uruguay (4-4-2): Muslera; Pereira, Godin, Caceres, Gimenez; Valverde (De Arrascaeta 79), Vecino, Nandez (Gonzalez 83), Rodriguez (Bentancur 65); Cavani, Suarez 

Booking: Nandez 

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Oscar Tabarez named a strong line-up for Uruguay's penultimate World Cup qualifying clash

Oscar Tabarez named a strong line-up for Uruguay's penultimate World Cup qualifying clash

Venezuela's Junior Moreno attempts to advance past Uruguay midfielder Cristian Rodriguez

Venezuela's Junior Moreno attempts to advance past Uruguay midfielder Cristian Rodriguez

Cavani is floored by a hefty challenge from Victor Garcia during the opening period 

Cavani is floored by a hefty challenge from Victor Garcia during the opening period 

Rodriguez and Uruguay failed to break down a resolute Venezuela side in the first half

Rodriguez and Uruguay failed to break down a resolute Venezuela side in the first half

Suarez turns Moreno as Uruguay attempted to seal a third consecutive World Cup berth

Suarez turns Moreno as Uruguay attempted to seal a third consecutive World Cup berth

Paris Saint-Germain star Cavani is crowded out by Moreno (left) and Tomas Rincon (right)

Paris Saint-Germain star Cavani is crowded out by Moreno (left) and Tomas Rincon (right)

Nahitan Nandez is dispossessed by a sliding challenge from Robert Quijada on Thursday night

Nahitan Nandez is dispossessed by a sliding challenge from Robert Quijada on Thursday night

Venezuela manager Rafael Dudamel shows off his ball control in the technical area 

Venezuela manager Rafael Dudamel shows off his ball control in the technical area 

Martin Caceres (left) and Sergio Cordova (right) compete for an aerial ball during the qualifier

Martin Caceres (left) and Sergio Cordova (right) compete for an aerial ball during the qualifier