Rise of a Football God
Chapter 522 - 522: Round of 32; Uruguay vs Canada

Germany progressed.

Czech Republic was out.

And the FIFA World Cup continued.

After another exciting day of FIFA World Cup games, the fans had a brief respite of a few hours to properly savor the outcomes before the next day.

And in a blink… it was D-day again.

This time, it was Uruguay vs Canada.

[FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 32:]

[Match 10: Uruguay vs Canada]

[Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico]

[Date: July 4th, 2026]

[Kick-off: 16:00 local time]

[Referee: Andres Matonte (Uruguay, replaced for neutrality: new ref – Facundo Tello, Argentina)]

The weather at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City was warm and dry, altitude heavy. The air itself was a battleground.

And the first shots of the epic clash were already fired in the act of the officiating referee for the game being changed at the last moment.

The Canadians protested the decision to let an Uruguayan referee officiate the game, and under pressure, FIFA had no choice but to replace the referee.

And so, here it was, the moment of truth.

Over 87,000 fans filled the stadium, buzzing with South American fire.

It was dubbed a clash of Fire and Fearlessness, Uruguay's grit vs Canada's spirit.

Canada had written their own beautiful script in this tournament; high energy, technical precision, and fearless play led by the electric Alphonso Davies who was also the Canadian captain.

But going up against Uruguay in the coliseum of football that is the Azteca, they were facing something older, tougher, more primal; a team of warriors forged in chaos.

The starting lineups of both nations were released an hour before time.

Uruguay started in a 4-3-1-2 formation with Sergio Rochet in goal, Varela, Ronald Araujo, Gimenez, and Olivera in defense.

In midfield was the trio of Ferderico Valverde, Manuel Ugarte, and De La Cruz. Giorgian de Arrascaeta was the sole attacking midfielder on the night, while the 2 starting strikers were Aguirre and Darwin Nunez.

As for the Canadians, starting in a 3-4-3, they had Milan Borjan in goal, while ahead of him stood the defensive trio of Johnston, Cornelius, and Kennedy.

In midfield was the quadruple of Laryea, Eustaquio, Kone, and Alphonso Davies, who pushed upward from his normal left back position, while the forward trio comprised Buchanan, Jonathan David as the striker, and Hoilett.

FWEEE!

The game started and right from the start, Uruguay dictated tempo with that signature Bielsa press and intensity.

It didn't take long for them to get the first result of the game, an early one.

Bam!

Uruguay struck, and it was through one of their strikers, Darwin Nunez in the 10th minute of the game.

Canada's high line got punished. Valverde won the ball in midfield, and quickly sent a diagonal into Darwin Nunez's path. The striker sprinted past Cornelius and slotted low past Borjan.

1-0 Uruguay.

Fast. Ruthless. Efficient.

Canada looked shaken. Uruguay were like sharks that smelled blood as they piled on the pressure.

In the 18th minute, Aguirre came close with a thunderous half-volley from 25 yards grazing the top of the net. Uruguay were purring and raring for the 2nd goal.

But then, against the run of play, Canada finally found breath.

34th minute. The moment the world was waiting for.

Alphonso Davies, the Canadian captain was the orchestrator. He started from deep, beat two men with a darting run down the left, did a one-two with Jonathan David, and then…

POW!

Davies blasted one low to the far corner.

1-1.

Canada roared. Uruguay didn't blink.

And suddenly, life was infused in this game again.

The game became a bit more even after that equalizer as both nations hassled and harried. But then, in the 41st minute, Uruguay showed their superiority again through their second striker, Aguirre.

Arrascaeta swung in a wicked low cross and Aguirre got across his man for a classic near-post finish.

2-1 Uruguay.

And just like that, the lead returned. The perfect response.

The first half came to an end 2-1 in Uruguay's favor.

The second half was a game of fight and fire.

Canada adjusted, bringing on Ismael Kone to reinforce the midfield. Buchanan and Davies switched flanks. And then, they pushed hard.

58th minute, SAVE!

A looping header from Jonathan David looked goal-bound, only for Rochet to tip it over with his fingertips, as fans groaned and gasped.

A match-saving stop.

In the 63rd minute of the game, Uruguay made a sub, bringing on Pellistri for De La Cruz. Uruguay needed legs.

And then, in the 70th minute, they sealed the game.

BAM!

A rocket from range. Who else? Federico Valverde!

It was fitting that the engine of this team had his moment. From 30 yards, a cannonball strike rose like a missile and flew past Borjan.

3-1.

"FEDERICO VALVERDE…!" The commentator screamed in a shrill voice.

"Monster!"

The Azteca erupted. The Celeste fans sang in unison.

Canada threw the kitchen sink; Davies ran until his legs gave out, David pressed like a man possessed, seeking the equalizer, but they never found it.

Uruguay's shield wall held.

FWEEEE!

The final whistle sounded, bringing the game to an end.

[FULL-TIME: Uruguay 3-1 Canada]

A beautiful journey ended for Canada. Read ahead and get updates at M*V*L*E*M*P*Y*R.

Uruguay, with fire in their veins and scars on their armor, marched forward. It was a story of victory and defeat.

Federico Valverde won the man of the match award after his imperious performance in the middle of the park, with 1 goal, a 94% pass accuracy, 8 ball recoveries, and 3 tackles won.

The commentators raved at the end of the game.

"If this team has a soul, Valverde is its beating heart".

Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay's coach, ecstatic after his team's victory, had a few words for the media at the end of the game.

"We suffer, but we know how to win through suffering. This is Uruguay".

Alphonso Davies also addressed the media at the end of the game.

"I'm proud of this team. We gave everything. Uruguay were just… different".

Valverde, the Uruguayan coach also faced the media.

He grinned. "We're not done yet. And they'll remember our names".

Uruguay matched on to the Round of 16.