Uruguay managed to get into the last 16 of the World Cup 2014 in the most stunning fashion after a 1-0 win over Italy in the final group match. However, they cannot maintain their run going after they were knocked out by Colombia in the first knockout stages. Uruguay suffered a 2-0 defeat with both goals coming from Monaco forward James Rodriguez. Uruguay were totally toothless in attack and it has largely been attributed to the lack of striker Luis Suarez. The Liverpool striker was given a four-month suspension from all football activity after being found guilty of biting Chiellini.
Edinson Cavani is also regarded as one of the top strikers in the world, but he has been a poor run of form in the last 12 months. After playing second fiddle to Zlatan Ibrahimovic for most of the season at Paris St Germain, the £62 million striker failed to find the back of the net at the World Cup. He was the main striker for the Uruguay national team after the departure of Suarez, but he was unable to make much impact in the match against Colombia. Despite the exit from the last 16 stage, Cavani says that the future of the national team appears to be in good hands with a number of promising youngsters coming up.
"This group of players have been working together for many years and have achieved wonderful and important things. It's a fact that there are solid foundations, made up not only of great players but also great people. When you've got that, it's easier to keep building," said Cavani. Older players like Diego Forlan and Cavani are unlikely to be present at the next World Cup in Russia if Uruguay qualify for this tournament. Uruguay made it to the 2014 edition after beating New Zealand in the play-offs.