Nigeria v Uruguay, 20 June 2013

Kick-off: 7.00pm local (11.00pm BST) Match Report Uruguay started brightly. They put Nigeria on the back foot with their three pronged attack which included the return of Forlan, winning his 100th cap. Nigeria soon came back into it and won a series of free-kicks in dangerous areas. They were however unable to capitalise. The breakthrough came through a scrappy goal from Uruguay. Following a corner, a Forlan cross evaded a few players before finding its way to Lugano who scrambled the ball in. Nigeria equalised before the break. Mikel received the ball in the box, took it past Lugano and finished high into the net. The Uruguayan centre back's lack of mobility was exposed here. Nigeria could have found themselves up at the break but for a tip over by Muslera. Despite the Super Eagles starting the second period on the front foot, it was the South Americans who edged ahead. Suarez and Cavani combined with Forlan on the break who powered home. Nigeria pushed for an equaliser but it never came. The final ball was lacking. At the other end, Cavani could have put the game out of reach from a number of opportunities. The Uruguay forward was not having the best of games. A tight game in which experience prevailed over youth. Neither team performed as strongly as they have in recent years. The Uruguayans will have a job on their hands against either Italy or Brazil in the next round. Preview Uruguay against Nigeria presents perhaps the closest matched game of the group stages. Assuming Spain seal a victory against Tahiti, the winner will be all but guaranteed to join the World Champions in qualifying from Group B. The South American Champion's main concern will be improving the partnership between Cavani and Suarez. The latter has traditionally linked up better with legend Diego Forlan, however the former Man United man's career is on the decline. Despite a 6 - 1 victory against Tahiti, Nigeria will know that they will have to improve in front of goal. They will not be allowed to get away with squandering so many chances against sterner opposition. Coach Keshi may turn to striker Ideye Brown, who started on the bench against Tahiti, as a solution to this problem. Match Report (Coming soon)