Soccer

Flamengo's Varela starts, but Uruguay draws against Bolivia

Mengão's full-back played for 62 minutes at an altitude of 4,090m in El Alto and performed well, however, the Olympic Celeste did not leave the 0-0 draw against the Bolivians

Flamengo full-back Varela started for Uruguay in the 0-0 draw against Bolivia - Photo: Reproduction

26 Mar 2025 | 12:16 |

On Tuesday night (25), Uruguay and Bolivia drew 0-0 in the 14th round of the World Cup Qualifiers . The match took place at the Municipal Stadium of El Alto , the second highest in the world, at 4,090m above sea level. The result was considered positive for the Celeste , who played away from home.

Flamengo full-back Guillermo Varela started and played for 62 minutes , putting in a solid performance in defense before being substituted. The player returns to Mengão this Wednesday (26).

Uruguay suffers at altitude and holds on for a draw

The Uruguayans started off surprisingly well and dominated the action in the first 15 minutes. However, the effects of the altitude began to take their toll , and Bolivia grew in the match, posing more danger. From the second half of the first half, Uruguay retreated their lines and began to manage the draw, a result that remained until half-time.

In the second half, the scenario repeated itself, but with even more pressure from Bolivia. The home team hit the post twice and only failed to win thanks to good saves by goalkeeper Sergio Rochet .

Even with the draw, Uruguay remains in a good position in the table, with 21 points . Depending on the results of the round, it could drop to sixth place, but it will still remain in the World Cup qualifying zone.

Does Varela worry Flamengo?

Despite the fatigue caused by the altitude, Varela left the field without any physical problems , which is a relief for Flamengo . The Rubro-Negro already has concerns about Arrascaeta and Gerson , both cut from the Uruguayan and Brazilian national teams due to injury.

Furthermore, the situation of the squad's right-backs deserves attention. Wesley was also a starter for Brazil in the defeat against Argentina, also on Tuesday (25), which means that Filipe Luís's two main options for the position were on the field for their national teams, increasing the risk of fatigue for the debut in the Brasileirão against Internacional, on Saturday (29).

Another Flamengo player on the field for the Qualifiers will be Gonzalo Plata, who will start for Ecuador against Chile in Santiago. Léo Ortiz and Alex Sandro should start Brazil vs. Argentina on the bench, and could be called upon by Dorival Júnior throughout the match.

Varela's performance against Bolivia

62 minutes played

71% pass accuracy (5/7)

1 pass to finish

1 successful dribble (1/1)

2 disarms

1 hit

1 blocked shot

62.5% of ground duels won (5/8)

100% of aerial duels won (1/1)

Last minute

Soccer

Flamengo will have an important return to the starting lineup against Estudiantes in the Libertadores

Recovered, defender returns to Filipe Luís's team for the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals; Jorginho is doubtful and could be out

Léo Ortiz returns to Flamengo's starting lineup against Estudiantes and reinforces the red-black defense in the first leg of the Libertadores - photo: reproduction

18 Set 2025 | 12:20 |

Flamengo will have an important reinforcement for the duel this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã. Defender Léo Ortiz returns to the starting lineup after serving an automatic suspension in the Brasileirão and is confirmed for the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals against Estudiantes.

In addition to Léo Ortiz , other players are available again for Filipe Luís , including Varela and Bruno Henrique, who were rested against Juventude. Alex Sandro and Jorginho, on the other hand, remain doubtful and will have their fitness assessed shortly before the match.

HANGING ROD

Right-back Guillermo Varela, the team's starting right-back, is on the field with a yellow card. If he receives another warning, the Uruguayan will be out of the second leg, scheduled for September 25th at Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium in La Plata.

PROBABLE LINEUPS

To face Estudiantes, Flamengo must maintain the base of the team that has been playing: Rossi; Varela (Emerson Royal), Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas (Viña); Saúl, De La Cruz (Jorginho) and Arrascaeta; Plata, Pedro and Samuel Lino.

Eduardo Domínguez will have almost his entire squad available for the game later today. He's expected to field the following: Muslera; Román Gómez, Santiago Núñez, Facundo Rodríguez, and Santiago Arzamendia; Ascacíbar, Gabriel Neves, Amondarain, and Medina; Tiago Palacios and Guido Carrillo.

Flamengo's Varela starts, but Uruguay draws against Bolivia