FC 26 - Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay | Ft. Valverde, Darwin Nunez | FIFA World Cup 2026 | PC [2K60]

[00:00:00]And good evening on what is a perfect night for football. The floodlights shining down on the players as we speak.

[00:00:07]My name's Derek Rae and delighted to have alongside me as usual on these occasions, Stuart Robson. And no question, this ought to be a game that gets pulses racing. It's Saudi Arabia and they take on Uruguay.

[00:00:19]>> Well, a quick start to the game is all important here today and I'm sure both managers will have drilled that into the players. But, they also have to play with composure and a tactical understanding. It should be a good game.

[00:01:15]>> And a look at the starting lineup for Saudi Arabia.

[00:01:19]>> Well, in this 4-5-1 they're packing their midfield, but the two wide players will almost play as out and out wingers.

[00:01:25]However, it's important they do get runners from central areas to support the center forward. That's going to be key.

[00:01:55]>> [screaming] >> Thank you for attending. Have a great time at today's >> The starting 11 for Uruguay. Ronald Araújo plays with José María Giménez in the center of defense, and the striker of choice is Darwin Núñez.

[00:02:30]So, underway here. Let's see what this game has in store for us.

[00:02:40]Olivera.

[00:02:43]Manuel Ugarte.

[00:02:45]Valverde.

[00:02:47]Now, Matías Olivera.

[00:02:52]Giménez.

[00:02:55]Ronald Araújo.

[00:02:58]Olivera.

[00:03:05]And he read it well defensively.

[00:03:11]Superb effort to keep it in.

[00:03:15]Saud Abdulhamid.

[00:03:25]Al-Khaibari.

[00:03:29]And defensive play to be applauded.

[00:03:31]>> Well, that's how to defend the edge of your box.

[00:03:36]>> Giménez.

[00:03:40]Ugarte.

[00:03:42]Now, Matías Olivera.

[00:03:45]It is to be a throw-in.

[00:03:58]>> [cheering] >> And the pass deftly cut out.

[00:04:06]Good distribution.

[00:04:11]Real chance. Oh, blocked it.

[00:04:18]Well, you never quite know who's going to dominate a game in advance, but I think you can maybe make an argument for this fellow, Stuart. What do you think we'll see from him today?

[00:04:27]>> Well, I love watching him play. He's so creative, particularly in the top third of the pitch. Let's hope he performs well here.

[00:04:39]>> Well, that attack collapsed completely.

[00:04:47]Núñez.

[00:04:56]Fine pass.

[00:04:59]Well, good technique in terms of how he struck it.

[00:05:18]Oliveira.

[00:05:22]Well, they have the ball once more.

[00:05:35]Facundo Pellistri.

[00:05:41]Oliveira.

[00:05:43]Moving the ball nicely.

[00:05:46]I think I spoke too soon. Wasn't the best of passes finally.

[00:05:58]Saud Abdulhamid Al-Khaibari Don't forget play.

[00:06:13]Giving breathing a sigh of relief. Ball one.

[00:06:18]No fluency from either side.

[00:06:21]>> Yeah, I've been really disappointed with some of the passing.

[00:06:29]>> What's the idea?

[00:06:34]Manuel Ugarte A useful ball.

[00:06:39]Well, there's a living breathing example of positional sense.

[00:06:46]Abdulelah Alamri Al-Brikan Beautiful pass.

[00:06:53]And it's opening up.

[00:06:55]And a strong glove on the ball from the keeper.

[00:07:00]And back to Rochet.

[00:07:03]Oliveira >> [cheering] >> Matías Oliveira Nicely regaining possession.

[00:07:21]Oliveira And they're almost inviting them to come at them.

[00:07:30]Moving the ball nicely, but can they forge ahead?

[00:07:33]Well, they couldn't keep that sequence going unfortunately.

[00:07:45]>> And the shot.

[00:07:47]Nicely blocked.

[00:07:48]Oh, this could be trouble.

[00:08:28]A really good save. And he held on to it for good measure.

[00:08:36]Manuel Ugarte Now Jiménez Ugarte A chance for him to get in behind maybe.

[00:08:54]Oh, what a fantastic goal!

[00:08:58]Had to catch it perfectly and didn't he just?

[00:09:03]>> [cheering] >> Well, you won't see a better connection than this. It's a brilliant strike. Hit with such power. What a great goal.

[00:09:37]Goal! So, underway here. 1-0 the score.

[00:09:45]Teammates available.

[00:09:48]And both play in possession.

[00:09:53]Possession given away.

[00:09:58]Abdulhamid.

[00:10:03]Al-Khaibari.

[00:10:05]Oh, this looks useful.

[00:10:10]And there it breaks down, but credit to the defense.

[00:10:20]Now, the managers will now deliver their half-time team talks. We're at the end of 45 minutes in this game.

[00:10:27]Well, he's been the standout for his side so far, don't you think, Stewart?

[00:10:31]Well, he certainly had an impact on that first half, scoring that late goal, but I thought his overall contribution was really good, and he got better as the half wore on.

[00:10:56]Teams back in position. Second half underway.

[00:11:09]And Sergio Rochet has it now.

[00:11:14]Here's Valverde.

[00:11:18]And a throw coming up after that authoritative challenge.

[00:11:24]Well, they made it far too easy there.

[00:11:26]Well, that's what he'd like to have back again.

[00:11:31]Varela.

[00:11:37]Well, the goalkeeper did well to hang on to that one.

[00:11:49]Couldn't keep it.

[00:11:56]Now, who can he play it to?

[00:12:02]Abdullah Al-Khaibari Could cross it in here.

[00:12:10]What a vital intervention.

[00:12:14]AND A GOAL TO LEVEL THIS CONTEST. ALL EVEN.

[00:12:26]>> WELL, they have to defend better than that. They just don't deal with the danger, do they?

[00:12:43]>> So, back under way. They've leveled it at 1-1 here.

[00:12:49]Valverde Varela Federico Valverde Ugarte Valverde Moving the ball nicely.

[00:13:10]Well, that is asking for a yellow card.

[00:13:14]So, the verdict is caution.

[00:13:15]>> Yeah, no complaints there. It was a poor challenge.

[00:13:40]>> CROSSBAR GOT IN THE WAY.

[00:13:45]It is to be a throw-in.

[00:13:48]>> [cheering] >> Nunez.

[00:13:54]A really good pass.

[00:13:56]And a goal!

[00:13:57]In the lead again!

[00:13:59]Fully deserved!

[00:14:06]>> [cheering] >> Well, here it is again. He's alive to the situation. He makes good contact with the ball and he keeps it down.

[00:14:13]That's a nice headed goal.

[00:14:34]>> Goal!

[00:14:34]>> Well, as they kick off again, 2-1 the current state of affairs.

[00:14:44]Well, plenty of green space to run into.

[00:14:48]Well, he was under pressure and maybe you could tell that by the header, which wasn't the best.

[00:14:53]>> Well, he wasn't first to the ball, but the defender certainly made the header more difficult.

[00:15:04]Well, there you have it. Lots of chances created, but no end product. Their finishing today has been dreadful. But, all the time they're creating opportunities, they have a chance to get back into this game.

[00:15:19]>> Ugarte.

[00:15:22]Here's Valverde.

[00:15:25]Well, there's a living, breathing example of positional sense.

[00:15:33]Well, a joy to watch, but stout defending when it mattered.

[00:15:40]Oh, good idea. Big opportunity.

[00:15:44]Oh, he's found the net and that increases the advantage to two.

[00:15:48]Just what they wanted and just what they deserve.

[00:15:53]>> Well, here it is again and the pace in which they break forward is devastating.

[00:15:56]It's so hard to defend against and when he gets onto it, he decides to go for power. It's a really emphatic finish which gives the keeper no chance.

[00:16:31]>> Goal!

[00:16:31]>> Well, the action continues and no shortage of goals. 3-1 as things stand.

[00:16:39]Nasser Al-Dawsari.

[00:16:46]Oh, that's splendid play.

[00:16:51]Ayman Yahya.

[00:17:03]Can he First time intervention just then amid impending danger.

[00:17:09]Might be a chance to break.

[00:17:12]Really annoying for them. Couldn't take advantage.

[00:17:14]>> Please come to guest relations for an important message.

[00:17:21]>> Doing everything possible to keep possession.

[00:17:24]>> He uses his body so well, doesn't he?

[00:17:26]>> Flowing here.

[00:17:33]And it goes!

[00:17:36]And you truly sense it's a matter of how many.

[00:17:41]>> Well, let's look at this again. To pick out this pass shows wonderful vision.

[00:17:44]It's inch perfect and he makes the finish look so easy. What a good goal that is.

[00:18:04]>> Not too much defending going on in the grand scheme of things. 4-1.

[00:18:19]Salem Al-Dawsari.

[00:18:26]Great weight on the pass.

[00:18:31]Oh, good and touched onto the frame of the goal and sending it out of play. Throw-in here.

[00:18:43]Now a decent position.

[00:18:48]Successfully cut out the pass.

[00:18:51]And the keeper there to make sure nothing untoward happens.

[00:19:02]Gomis.

[00:19:06]Al-Amri.

[00:19:18]>> Al Birekan Oh, he's left his marker for dead.

[00:19:23]Well, not making life difficult for the keeper at all. A wide attempt.

[00:19:29]And a substitution in the offing.

[00:19:44]Well, it comes down to the final 5 minutes.

[00:19:50]Vinha Can't give him too much space.

[00:20:04]And the cross goes in.

[00:20:07]And that will be a corner.

[00:20:09]>> Yeah, no messing about with that one.

[00:20:12]Here it is now, a substitution.

[00:20:22]>> Played over.

[00:20:24]Well, his direction was just a little bit off.

[00:20:41]The referee's verdict is three additional minutes.

[00:20:47]Rodrigo Salazar >> Nice looking move, this.

[00:20:55]And the ruling is offside here.

[00:21:18]>> Well read to win possession back.

[00:21:20]And there it is, the full-time whistle here and it's a victory for the visitors.

[00:21:25]>> You're absolutely right. Their attacking play was excellent, full of energy and pace, and the midfield completely dominated the game. It's a great all-round performance.

[00:21:38]>> And it just seems in this game he's been a step ahead of his opponents in every way, Stuart.

[00:21:43]>> Well, he did everything today. His energy, skill, and movement was just too good for those defenders. It's a really good display.