No Cavani, No Dice For Uruguay

World Cup Quarter Final

France 2 – Uruguay 0

In today’s quarterfinal match between France and Uruguay, one major factor determined everything. That factor was the lack of Edinson Cavani from the Uruguay lineup. After leaving the round of 16 match against Portugal with a calf injury (shortly after scoring the winning goal), the prolific South American striker did not take the field against France today in the World Cup Quarterfinal match.

Although it is a Uruguay attacking force that still has the very talented Luis Suarez, their attack was extremely limp without Cavani. Suarez did his part in holding the ball up very well, but every time he would have a look up nobody was there for an outlet. With the lack of attacking midfield players, Uruguay typically looks for the dynamic strike partnership for all of their offensive production. Apart from forcing an immaculate save from French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris at the tail end of the first half, the South Americans never threatened the French back line. The ultimate question is, would Cavani have made a difference? I believe he would have.

In the end, the French capitalized on the stale Uruguayan attack and pulled through with a 2-0 victory off of back-to-back goals from Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezman. 

Welp.

Muslera fails to save a strike from Griezmann, as France double their lead on a howler. #URUFRA pic.twitter.com/tG10FMO9WE

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 6, 2018