BUENOS AIRES, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan believes Uruguay will be among the favorites - along with defending champion Argentina - to win next year's FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Argentina currently sits atop the South American qualifying zone standings with 25 points from 12 games, five points ahead of second-placed Uruguay.
The rivals will meet each other in Montevideo next Friday. A victory for Argentina would all but secure the Albiceleste a berth in football's showpiece tournament, while a Uruguay win would leave Marcelo Bielsa's men on the cusp of earning a place with five qualifiers to spare.
"I think the match against Argentina will be a great test for Uruguay because they are the teams that will be protagonists at the World Cup," the retired Uruguay star told DSports radio. "This qualifier will be a very competitive and hard-fought duel."
The last time the teams met in a World Cup qualifier was in November 2023, when Uruguay prevailed 2-0 at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires.
"At La Bombonera, Uruguay played a great game, both physically and tactically. Uruguay won that match well, and having such an important test against an opponent like Argentina is important."
Forlan heaped praise on Uruguay manager Bielsa and said the contest at Estadio Centenario would be a battle of contrasting styles.
"Argentina is a team with good ball possession while Uruguay is more physical, thriving on counterattacks and direct movement. These games are always attractive to watch and very tough for the players." ■
