With the 2024 Copa América set to kick off in the United States, Uruguay stands as a dark horse challenger behind traditional powerhouses Argentina and Brazil. As BD Cricket Live reports, the spotlight now turns to Darwin Núñez and Federico Valverde to carry the torch for a new generation, following the gradual exit of legends like Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani.

Historically, Uruguay is a continental giant. They have participated in the Copa América 46 times—more than any other team—and their 15 championships place them tied with Argentina for the most in tournament history, ahead of Brazil by six. But since lifting the trophy in 2011, the Celeste have seen a dip in dominance. In the last edition, Uruguay exited in the quarterfinals after a penalty shootout loss to Colombia.

The post-World Cup fallout saw coach Diego Alonso step down, making way for Marcelo Bielsa, who took the helm in May. The Argentine tactician wasted no time imprinting his identity. In friendlies, Uruguay battled Japan to a draw and followed up with victories over South Korea, Nicaragua, and Cuba. More impressively, they shocked the world in World Cup qualifiers by defeating both Brazil and Argentina, with Núñez and Nicolás de la Cruz topping the South American scoring charts.

Suárez and Cavani, once the heart of Uruguay’s attack, have quietly stepped aside. Cavani officially retired from international duty, while Suárez has only made a brief return. Their World Cup showing in Qatar was a signal of decline—both aged 35 and goalless, they alternated next to Núñez without completing full matches.

Now the offensive burden falls squarely on Núñez’s shoulders. Since joining Liverpool from Benfica in a high-profile move, Núñez has shown flashes of brilliance but also inconsistency, often squandering clear chances. Despite this, his current season has been more productive, with double-digit goals and assists, trailing only Mohamed Salah in the squad. Under Bielsa, Núñez is the undisputed focal point and has repaid that trust with improved output.

Bielsa, often dubbed the “mad genius,” is known for his all-in tactical philosophy—his teams press relentlessly and attack without fear. He has overhauled Uruguay’s system, abandoning the classic two-striker setup in favor of a more cohesive, modern formation. This allows key players like Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde—one of the world’s top box-to-box midfielders—to operate with maximum impact.

Uruguay’s Copa América group features Panama, Bolivia, and host nation USA. Panama, the lowest-ranked team in the group, has never beaten Uruguay in four attempts. Bolivia is a familiar opponent from CONMEBOL play. The USA, however, poses a unique challenge. As hosts and future World Cup co-organizers, they’re motivated to impress. Under Gregg Berhalter, the U.S. has shown promise, and Uruguay hasn’t beaten them in their last four meetings—the last win dating back to 1993.

This clash with the U.S. will be a crucial litmus test for Bielsa’s new-look Uruguay. With a potent mix of rising stars and tactical reinvention, BD Cricket Live believes La Celeste could be poised for a resurgence—if Núñez can rise to the occasion.