Uruguay became the last nation to book their spot at the 2014 World
Cup finals in Brazil with a 0-0 second-leg draw against play-off
opponents Jordan.
Uruguay had all but secured their berth with a 5-0 victory in the first leg.
Uruguay dominated a goalless first half in the return leg in
Montevideo and came closest to scoring when Diego Godin headed against
the crossbar.
“We’re all happy because the truth is it’s been a hard road,” said
striker Edinson Cavani.
Uruguay were competing in the World Cup qualifying play-offs for the
fourth successive tournament, but knew it would take a miraculous
effort for Jordan to overturn a 5-0 deficit,
The South American nation, who are currently ranked sixth in the
world, boast a rich World Cup pedigree having won the trophy in 1930
and 1950 and also reached the semi-finals last time out in South
Africa.
But Oscar Tabarez’s men finished fifth in their continent’s qualifying
after being edged out of the automatic places by Ecuador on goal
difference.
It meant they were forced to negotiate a two-legged tie against a
Jordan side, who had beaten Uzbekistan in Asian qualifying to reach
the play-off.
However, with Liverpool striker Luis Suarez partnered up front by
Paris St-Germain’s £55m striker Cavani, they were always likely to
have too much firepower for the Middle East nation.
Jordan, who have never appeared at the World Cup finals, are ranked 64
places below Uruguay in the world. – BBC Sport
