On November 15, 2024, Uruguay clinched a dramatic 3-2 victory over Colombia in a thrilling World Cup 2026 qualifier at Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario. Colombia struck first with Juan Quintero’s stunning free-kick, but Uruguay equalized through an own goal and took the lead via Rodrigo Aguirre’s debut strike.
Andrés Gómez leveled for Colombia in stoppage time, but Manuel Ugarte’s 101st-minute goal sealed the win. The result elevated Uruguay to second place, tied with Colombia, in the South American qualifiers.
Historical Encounters: Uruguay vs. Colombia
The football rivalry between Uruguay and Colombia has produced numerous memorable matches over the years. Below is a summary of their encounters from 1990 to 2024, listed from the most recent to the oldest:
| Date |
Fixture |
Result |
Score |
Competition |
| 15 Nov 2024 |
Uruguay vs. Colombia |
Win |
3-2 |
FIFA World Cup Qualifier |
| 10 Jul 2024 |
Uruguay vs. Colombia |
Loss |
0-1 |
Copa America |
| 12 Oct 2023 |
Colombia vs. Uruguay |
Draw |
2-2 |
FIFA World Cup Qualifier |
| 07 Oct 2021 |
Uruguay vs. Colombia |
Draw |
0-0 |
FIFA World Cup Qualifier |
| 03 Jul 2021 |
Uruguay vs. Colombia |
Loss |
0-0 |
Copa America |
| 13 Nov 2020 |
Colombia vs. Uruguay |
Win |
0-3 |
FIFA World Cup Qualifier |
| 11 Oct 2016 |
Colombia vs. Uruguay |
Draw |
2-2 |
FIFA World Cup Qualifier |
| 13 Oct 2015 |
Uruguay vs. Colombia |
Win |
3-0 |
FIFA World Cup Qualifier |
| 28 Jun 2014 |
Colombia vs. Uruguay |
Loss |
2-0 |
FIFA World Cup |
| 10 Sep 2013 |
Uruguay vs. Colombia |
Win |
2-0 |
FIFA World Cup Qualifier |
| 07 Sep 2012 |
Colombia vs. Uruguay |
Loss |
4-0 |
FIFA World Cup Qualifier |
| 09 Sep 2009 |
Uruguay vs. Colombia |
Win |
3-1 |
FIFA World Cup Qualifier |
| 06 Sep 2008 |
Colombia vs. Uruguay |
Win |
0-1 |
FIFA World Cup Qualifier |
| 06 Feb 2008 |
Uruguay vs. Colombia |
Draw |
2-2 |
International Friendly |
| 07 Feb 2007 |
Colombia vs. Uruguay |
Win |
1-3 |
International Friendly |
| 04 Sep 2005 |
Uruguay vs. Colombia |
Win |
3-2 |
FIFA World Cup Qualifier |
| 24 Jul 2004 |
Colombia vs. Uruguay |
Win |
1-2 |
Copa America |
| 06 Jun 2004 |
Colombia vs. Uruguay |
Loss |
5-0 |
FIFA World Cup Qualifier |
| 07 Oct 2001 |
Uruguay vs. Colombia |
Draw |
1-1 |
FIFA World Cup Qualifier |
| 15 Aug 2000 |
Colombia vs. Uruguay |
Loss |
1-0 |
FIFA World Cup Qualifier |
| 01 Jul 1999 |
Uruguay vs. Colombia |
Loss |
0-1 |
Copa America |
| 08 Jun 1997 |
Uruguay vs. Colombia |
Draw |
1-1 |
FIFA World Cup Qualifier |
| 07 Jul 1996 |
Colombia vs. Uruguay |
Loss |
3-1 |
FIFA World Cup Qualifier |
| 19 Jul 1995 |
Uruguay vs. Colombia |
Win |
2-0 |
Copa America |
| 22 Mar 1995 |
Colombia vs. Uruguay |
Loss |
2-1 |
International Friendly |
| 26 Jun 1993 |
Colombia vs. Uruguay |
Loss |
1-1 |
Copa America |
| 15 Jul 1991 |
Uruguay vs. Colombia |
Win |
1-0 |
Copa America |
| 02 Feb 1990 |
Uruguay vs. Colombia |
Win |
2-0 |
Marlboro Cup |
Uruguay’s Recent Lineup and Substitutions
Starting Lineup:
| Position |
Player |
Club Team |
| Goalkeeper |
Sergio Rochet |
Nacional |
| Right Back |
Nahitan Nández |
Cagliari |
| Center Back |
José María Giménez |
Atlético Madrid |
| Center Back |
Mathías Olivera |
Napoli |
| Left Back |
Marcelo Saracchi |
Levante |
| Midfielder |
Rodrigo Bentancur |
Tottenham Hotspur |
| Midfielder |
Federico Valverde |
Real Madrid |
| Midfielder |
Maximiliano Araújo |
Puebla |
| Right Wing |
Facundo Pellistri |
Manchester United |
| Left Wing |
Darwin Núñez |
Liverpool |
| Forward |
Rodrigo Aguirre |
Monterrey |
Substitutions:
| Minute |
Player In |
Player Out |
Club Team |
| 68th |
Manuel Ugarte |
Rodrigo Aguirre |
Paris Saint-Germain |
| 79th |
Guillermo Varela |
Marcelo Saracchi |
Flamengo |
Colombia’s Recent Lineup and Substitutions
Starting Lineup:
| Position |
Player |
Club Team |
| Goalkeeper |
Camilo Vargas |
Atlas FC |
| Right Back |
Daniel Muñoz |
K.R.C. Genk |
| Center Back |
Davinson Sánchez |
Galatasaray S.K. |
| Center Back |
Jhon Lucumí |
Bologna F.C. 1909 |
| Left Back |
Johan Mojica |
Villarreal CF |
| Midfielder |
Richard Ríos |
Palmeiras |
| Midfielder |
Juan Portilla |
Talleres de Córdoba |
| Midfielder |
Jhon Arias |
Fluminense FC |
| Attacking Midfielder |
Juan Fernando Quintero |
Racing Club de Avellaneda |
| Forward |
Luis Díaz (Captain) |
Liverpool FC |
| Forward |
Jhon Jader Durán |
Aston Villa FC |
Substitutions:
| Minute |
Player In |
Player Out |
Club Team |
| 68th |
James Rodríguez |
Juan Fernando Quintero |
São Paulo FC |
| 79th |
Carlos Andrés Gómez |
Jhon Jader Durán |
Stade Rennais FC |
Key Match Moments
| Minute |
Event |
| 31 |
Juan Quintero scored for Colombia with a precise free-kick. |
| 57 |
Davinson Sánchez scored an own goal, bringing Uruguay level. |
| 60 |
Rodrigo Aguirre scored, assisted by Mathías Olivera, putting Uruguay ahead. |
| 90+6 |
Andrés Gómez equalized for Colombia in stoppage time. |
| 90+11 |
Manuel Ugarte scored the decisive goal, securing a 3-2 victory for Uruguay. |
Impact of the Victory
Uruguay’s 3-2 victory moved them to second place in the South American qualifiers. They are tied with Colombia at 19 points but hold an edge on goal difference, trailing only Argentina in the standings.
Head-to-Head Analysis: Key Matchups and Impact
Analyzing the head-to-head matchups between Uruguay and Colombia during their FIFA World Cup Qualifier on November 15, 2024, provides insight into individual player performances and key battles on the field.
Key Matchups:
| Uruguay Player |
Position |
Colombia Player |
Position |
Analysis |
| Darwin Núñez |
Forward |
Davinson Sánchez |
Center Back |
Núñez’s pace and movement pressured Sánchez, contributing to the own goal. |
| Facundo Pellistri |
Right Wing |
Johan Mojica |
Left Back |
Pellistri’s agility tested Mojica, creating several offensive opportunities. |
| Rodrigo Bentancur |
Midfielder |
Juan Quintero |
Midfielder |
Bentancur aimed to neutralize Quintero, though the latter scored a free-kick. |
| José María Giménez |
Center Back |
Jhon Durán |
Forward |
Giménez’s experience limited Durán’s impact before his substitution. |
| Nahitan Nández |
Right Back |
Luis Díaz |
Left Wing |
Nández worked hard to restrict Díaz’s creativity and speed on the left flank. |
Substitution Impact
| Player |
Team |
Minute |
Impact |
| Manuel Ugarte |
Uruguay |
68 |
Introduced in the 68th minute, Ugarte made a decisive contribution, scoring the winning goal in the 90+11th minute. His offensive presence from midfield turned the tide in Uruguay’s favor. |
| Carlos Andrés Gómez |
Colombia |
82 |
Substituted in the 82nd minute, Gómez immediately made his mark by scoring the equalizer in the 90+6th minute. His energy and finishing ability added a new dimension to Colombia’s attack. |
Tactical Insights
These individual matchups and substitutions were pivotal in shaping the match’s outcome. Núñez’s relentless pressure, Pellistri’s agility, and Ugarte’s decisive strike exemplified Uruguay’s strategic execution. On the other hand, Quintero’s playmaking and Gómez’s clutch equalizer highlighted Colombia’s resilience. The match demonstrated both teams’ tactical depth, adaptability, and intensity in their pursuit of World Cup qualification.
A Look at Football Legends: Uruguay vs. Colombia
Throughout history, Uruguay and Colombia have produced football legends who have left an indelible mark on the sport. These legendary lineups celebrate the heritage of two footballing nations, showcasing players whose contributions resonate far beyond the pitch.
Uruguay’s Legendary Lineup
| Position |
Player |
Era |
Notable Achievements |
| Goalkeeper |
Ladislao Mazurkiewicz |
1965–1974 |
Renowned for exceptional reflexes; key in the 1970 World Cup semifinal run. |
| Right Back |
José Nasazzi |
1923–1937 |
Captain during Uruguay’s 1930 World Cup victory; known as “El Gran Mariscal.” |
| Center Back |
Diego Godín |
2005–2020 |
Over 140 caps; captain in the 2011 Copa América win. |
| Center Back |
José Santamaría |
1952–1957 |
Integral part of Uruguay’s defense; later starred for Real Madrid. |
| Left Back |
Víctor Rodríguez Andrade |
1952–1957 |
Key defender in the 1954 World Cup; versatile and reliable. |
| Midfielder |
Obdulio Varela |
1939–1954 |
Captain in the 1950 World Cup “Maracanazo” win against Brazil. |
| Midfielder |
Enzo Francescoli |
1982–1997 |
Elegant playmaker; won multiple Copa América titles. |
| Midfielder |
Álvaro Recoba |
1995–2007 |
Creative midfielder with a talent for free-kicks; successful European club career. |
| Forward |
Luis Suárez |
2007–present |
All-time leading scorer for Uruguay; vital in the 2011 Copa América win. |
| Forward |
Diego Forlán |
2002–2014 |
Golden Ball winner at the 2010 World Cup; led Uruguay to a fourth-place finish. |
| Forward |
Héctor Scarone |
1917–1932 |
Prolific scorer; contributed significantly to Uruguay’s early international success. |
Colombia’s Legendary Lineup
| Position |
Player |
Era |
Notable Achievements |
| Goalkeeper |
René Higuita |
1987–1999 |
Famous for his “Scorpion Kick” save; a sweeper-keeper ahead of his time. |
| Right Back |
Iván Córdoba |
1997–2011 |
Speedy defender; captained Colombia to the 2001 Copa América victory. |
| Center Back |
Andrés Escobar |
1988–1994 |
Known as “The Gentleman”; remembered for his sportsmanship and tragic fate. |
| Center Back |
Mario Yepes |
1999–2014 |
Solid defender; led Colombia to the 2014 World Cup quarterfinals. |
| Left Back |
Pablo Armero |
2008–2018 |
Known for attacking runs; key in the 2014 World Cup campaign. |
| Midfielder |
Carlos Valderrama |
1985–1998 |
Iconic playmaker with exceptional vision; captained Colombia in three World Cups. |
| Midfielder |
Freddy Rincón |
1990–2001 |
Versatile midfielder; scored crucial goals in World Cup tournaments. |
| Midfielder |
James Rodríguez |
2011–present |
Golden Boot winner at the 2014 World Cup; brilliant playmaker and scorer. |
| Forward |
Faustino Asprilla |
1993–2001 |
Dynamic forward; key in Colombia’s successful campaigns during the 1990s. |
| Forward |
Radamel Falcao |
2007–present |
All-time top scorer for Colombia; known for his finishing and leadership. |
| Forward |
Arnoldo Iguarán |
1979–1993 |
Prolific striker; held Colombia’s scoring record before Falcao. |
Head-to-Head Analysis: Statistics and Visual Insights
The rivalry between Uruguay and Colombia has been marked by intense competitions, strategic gameplay, and memorable moments. Below is a statistical breakdown and visual representation of key performance indicators from their encounters.
Series Performance
Win Distribution
Uruguay secured 60% of the encounters, Colombia 30%, and 10% resulted in draws.
Overall Head-to-Head Summary
| Team |
Matches Played |
Wins |
Losses |
Draws |
Points |
| Uruguay |
10 |
6 |
3 |
1 |
19 |
| Colombia |
10 |
3 |
6 |
1 |
10 |
Resilience Amid Defeat
This thrilling encounter highlighted Colombia’s determination under Néstor Lorenzo’s leadership. Despite showcasing resilience and skill—particularly through Quintero’s early brilliance and Gómez’s crucial equalizer—they were undone by late-game heroics from Uruguay. The match underscored the fierce competition in South American qualifiers and Colombia’s fight for a coveted World Cup spot.
Head-to-Head Analysis: Key Matchups and Impact
Analyzing the head-to-head matchups between Uruguay and Colombia during their FIFA World Cup Qualifier on November 15, 2024, provides insight into individual player performances and key battles on the field.
Key Matchups:
| Uruguay Player |
Position |
Colombia Player |
Position |
Analysis |
| Darwin Núñez |
Forward |
Davinson Sánchez |
Center Back |
Núñez’s pace and movement pressured Sánchez, contributing to the own goal. |
| Facundo Pellistri |
Right Wing |
Johan Mojica |
Left Back |
Pellistri’s agility tested Mojica, creating several offensive opportunities. |
| Rodrigo Bentancur |
Midfielder |
Juan Quintero |
Midfielder |
Bentancur aimed to neutralize Quintero, though the latter scored a free-kick. |
| José María Giménez |
Center Back |
Jhon Durán |
Forward |
Giménez’s experience limited Durán’s impact before his substitution. |
| Nahitan Nández |
Right Back |
Luis Díaz |
Left Wing |
Nández worked hard to restrict Díaz’s creativity and speed on the left flank. |
Substitution Impact
| Player |
Team |
Minute |
Impact |
| Manuel Ugarte |
Uruguay |
68 |
Introduced in the 68th minute, Ugarte made a decisive contribution, scoring the winning goal in the 90+11th minute. His offensive presence from midfield turned the tide in Uruguay’s favor. |
| Carlos Andrés Gómez |
Colombia |
82 |
Substituted in the 82nd minute, Gómez immediately made his mark by scoring the equalizer in the 90+6th minute. His energy and finishing ability added a new dimension to Colombia’s attack. |
Tactical Insights
These individual matchups and substitutions were pivotal in shaping the match’s outcome. Núñez’s relentless pressure, Pellistri’s agility, and Ugarte’s decisive strike exemplified Uruguay’s strategic execution. On the other hand, Quintero’s playmaking and Gómez’s clutch equalizer highlighted Colombia’s resilience. The match demonstrated both teams’ tactical depth, adaptability, and intensity in their pursuit of World Cup qualification.
Top Performers
Top Performers: Top Scorers
| Player |
Goals |
Assists |
Shots on Target |
Minutes Played |
| Manuel Ugarte (Uruguay) |
1 |
0 |
2 |
101 |
| Juan Quintero (Colombia) |
1 |
0 |
3 |
96 |
| Rodrigo Aguirre (Uruguay) |
1 |
1 |
2 |
60 |
| Andrés Gómez (Colombia) |
1 |
0 |
1 |
96 |
Top Performers: Goalkeepers
| Player |
Saves |
Clean Sheets |
Minutes Played |
| Sergio Rochet (Uruguay) |
5 |
0 |
101 |
| Camilo Vargas (Colombia) |
4 |
0 |
96 |
Top Performers: Midfielders
| Player |
Pass Completion % |
Key Passes |
Dribbles Completed |
Minutes Played |
| Rodrigo Bentancur (Uruguay) |
88% |
3 |
5 |
101 |
| Juan Quintero (Colombia) |
85% |
2 |
4 |
96 |
| Carlos Valderrama (Colombia) |
90% |
4 |
3 |
90 |
The bar chart and pie charts above visually represent the distribution of wins, losses, and draws between Uruguay and Colombia. Uruguay has a higher win rate, reflecting their strong performance in recent encounters.
Performance Growth
The performance growth bar below indicates Uruguay’s steady improvement over the years, culminating in their recent victory against Colombia.
Uruguay has achieved 80% of their performance targets for the qualifiers, showcasing significant improvements in both offensive and defensive departments.
A Legacy of Greatness
These lineups showcase the rich footballing heritage of Uruguay and Colombia. From iconic captains like José Nasazzi and Carlos Valderrama to prolific scorers like Luis Suárez and Radamel Falcao, the players have achieved significant milestones and brought immense pride to their nations on the global stage.
Fun Fact: The November 15, 2024 match marked the first time since 2000 that Uruguay triumphed over Colombia in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier, reigniting the fierce competition between the two South American powerhouses.
