Diego Forlan’s first night in charge of Uruguay ended in late heartbreak at Miyagi Stadium, where Japan struck twice in stoppage time to turn an encouraging display from La Celeste into a 3-1 friendly defeat.
Key takeaways
- Uruguay lost 3-1 to Japan on Thursday, with the final two goals arriving after the 90th minute.
- Diego Forlan was taking charge of the national side for the first time following Uruguay’s group-stage exit at the 2026 World Cup.
- Maxi Araujo cancelled out Kuryu Matsuki’s early opener shortly before half-time.
- Lille striker Ayase Ueda supplied Kento Shiogai before scoring himself after coming on in the second half.
- Uruguay played without injured captain Federico Valverde, who suffered an ankle problem in the Madrid derby before the international break.
Uruguay show signs of recovery under Forlan
Forlan’s new era began against a difficult backdrop after Uruguay’s disappointing summer in North America, but his side produced a far more energetic and coherent performance for long spells in Japan.
The visitors were caught early when Kuryu Matsuki put Japan ahead in the 11th minute. Keito Nakamura, Lyon’s new signing, launched the move with a precise diagonal ball that created the opening.
Uruguay nevertheless controlled much of the first half despite Valverde’s absence. Their pressing and attacking intent eventually brought an equaliser in the 42nd minute, when Maxi Araujo found the net from a tight angle.
Rodrigo Bentancur and his team-mates maintained that approach after the interval, again looking the more convincing side for periods. The performance offered a contrast to the displays that had accompanied their World Cup elimination at the first hurdle.
Ueda decides the game in stoppage time
Japan’s late efficiency proved decisive. Ayase Ueda entered around the hour mark and changed the closing stages, first setting up Kento Shiogai in the second minute of added time.
The Lille centre-forward then sealed Japan’s 3-1 win himself five minutes later, scoring in the seventh minute of stoppage time to leave Forlan’s Uruguay beaten in his opening match.
The scoreline was harsh on the South Americans, who had matched Japan for much of the contest and will feel they let a positive performance slip away in the final moments.
