Luis Suarez’s farewell ends in disappointment as Uruguay held captive by Paraguay

Uruguay’s Luis Suarez in action during a South American qualifier World Cup match against Paraguay on September 6, 2024. | Photo credit: Reuters

Luis Suarez bid a disappointing farewell to international football on Friday (September 6, 2024) as Uruguay were held to a 0-0 draw by Paraguay in South American 2026 World Cup qualifying.

Suarez, 37, announced on Monday (September 2, 2024) that he was stepping down from international duty after an illustrious 17-year career for Uruguay in which he finished as the country’s top scorer with 69 goals in 143 appearances.

But the former Barcelona and Liverpool star, who now plays in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, could not add a 70th goal to his international goal tally in Friday’s farewell match at Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario.

Despite having 65% possession, Uruguay were unable to penetrate Paraguay’s strong defence, committing as many as 24 fouls in a chaotic match.

Suarez, whose international and club career has been marred by controversies such as a ban for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup, was one of four Uruguay players shown yellow cards in a controversial match.

The result leaves Uruguay second in South America’s 10-team round-robin qualifying tournament with 14 points from seven games, four behind leaders Argentina.

Colombia can overtake Uruguay with a win over Peru in Lima on Friday.

The top six teams in South America’s table will automatically qualify for the finals in North America in 2026, with the seventh-placed team going into a playoff.