Soccer-Uruguay drop Nunez for Cape Verde clash as Bielsa packs midfield


Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group H - Uruguay v Cape Verde - Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S. - June 21, 2026 Uruguay's Darwin Nunez arrives at the stadium before the match REUTERS/Paul Childs

MIAMI, ⁠June 21 (Reuters) - Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa dropped Darwin ⁠Nunez for their World Cup Group H ‌game against Cape Verde on Sunday.

Nunez was ineffective after starting in their 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia, taking just one shot ​before he was substituted at halftime, ⁠with the forward failing ⁠to find the net in his last 14 appearances ⁠for ‌Uruguay.

• Agustin Canobbio comes into Uruguay's starting lineup and Matias Vina makes way for ⁠Juan Manuel Sanabria.

• Bielsa opted for a midfield-heavy ​lineup as ‌Uruguay expect to face a defensive wall of ⁠Cape Verde ​players, who kept European champions Spain at bay in a 0-0 draw.

• Cape Verde name strongest possible lineup, ⁠including Sidny Cabral, who was booked ​against Spain and risks a suspension with one more caution.

• Laros Duarte is dropped from midfield and Telmo ⁠Arcanjo earns a start.

• Vozinha keeps his place in goal after his heroics against Spain.

Uruguay: Fernando Muslera,Sebastian Caceres, Guillermo Varela, Mathias Olivera,Manuel Ugarte, Rodrigo Bentancur, Federico ​Valverde, Agustin Canobbio, Maxi Araujo, Juan ⁠Manuel Sanabria,Federico Vinas.

Cape Verde: Vozinha, Diney Borges, Pico Lopes, ​Sidny Lopes Cabral, Steven Moreira, ‌Kevin Pina, Jamiro Monteiro, Garry ​Rodrigues, Telmo Arcanjo,Gilson Benchimol, Ryan Mendes.

(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Miami; editing by Ed Osmond)

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