
SEATTLE - A group stage exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar prompted a huge change in the Uruguayan national team. As the golden generation that gave Uruguay the 2011 Copa América title and a fourth-place finish at the 2010 World Cup grew older, it was time for 'La Celeste' to undergo a rebuilding phase.
It wasn't until Marcelo Bielsa was appointed as coach of the national team that Uruguay's project started to trend upwards. In search of a more dynamic and offensive game, Bielsa gave Uruguay a much different look to those teams with more of a defensive focus led by Óscar Tabárez.