Luis Suárez’s international career concluded on a disappointing note as Uruguay was held to a goalless draw by Paraguay in their South American 2026 World Cup qualifying match on Friday. The 37-year-old, who announced his retirement from international football earlier in the week, could not add to his impressive tally of 69 goals from 143 appearances in his final game at the Estadio Centenario.
Despite dominating possession with 65% and creating numerous opportunities, Uruguay struggled to breach a resolute Paraguayan defense. The match was marred by a high number of fouls, totaling 24, and a fractious atmosphere that saw Suárez and three of his teammates receive yellow cards.
Suárez, known for his prolific scoring at both club and international levels, has had a career punctuated by both brilliance and controversy, including a notable ban for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup. His departure from the international scene marks the end of an era for Uruguayan football.
The draw leaves Uruguay in second place in the South American qualifying standings, with 14 points from seven matches, four points behind leaders Argentina. However, their position is precarious as Colombia could surpass them with a win over Peru later on Friday.
The South American qualifying format sees the top six teams automatically advance to the 2026 World Cup in North America, with the seventh-placed team entering a playoff. As the qualifying campaign progresses, Uruguay will need to maintain their strong performance to secure one of the automatic spots and avoid the uncertainty of the playoff.
