Uruguay’s World Cup debut was one of the least thrilling in the tournament so far, drawing 0-0 with South Korea in a slow-paced game with few clear chances on either side. The scoreline leaves Uruguay needing points against Portugal and Ghana in its remaining group matches.
In the first half, both teams had one good sight of goal apiece and Hwang Ui-Jo could have put South Korea in front after meeting a cross near the penalty spot, but he skied his right-foot shot from point-blank range.
Uruguay’s experienced center back and captain Diego Godín then headed a corner kick off the post shortly before half-time.
South Korea were happy to give Uruguay the ball and play deep in their own half, though the Uruguayans did little with the possession they were afforded.
Deeper into the second half, Uruguay striker Darwin Núñez came close with a curling shot outside the area, which his teammate Edinson Cavani was close to diverting goalwards.
The game sprung into life near stoppage time, when Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde shook the frame of the South Korean goal with a wicked shot late on.
Minutes later, Uruguay’s keeper Sergio Rochet almost gave the game away with a slack pass in his penalty area, but South Korea’s masked captain Son Heung-Min missed the target in what could have been the winner.
Though it hasn’t won the tournament since 1950, Uruguay is one of the most traditional national teams in the planet, only surpassed in World Cups by Brazil, Germany, and Italy, and leading the continent in terms of Copa Américas.
Group H’s second match will start in a matter of minutes, with Ghana looking for an upset against favorites Portugal, who will then face Uruguay on Monday.
South America’s last debutant will be Brazil, set to face Serbia later today in Group G’s second game, after Switzerland beat Cameroon 1-0 this morning.
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