absence of the most prolific goalscorer in European football last season for their biggest match since defeat to Brazil’s greatest ever side in the 1970 World Cup semi-finals.
Uruguay player to watch: Edinson Cavani. After struggling to a dour 0-0 draw with France in the opening game, the introduction of Cavani to the starting line-up has drastically improved Uruguay’s fortunes. Despite not finding the net in South Africa, Cavani has proved the perfect foil to strike partner Luis Suarez and has allowed talismanic captain Diego Forlan to drop deep and influence proceedings, playing behind the front two. Cavani’s movement off the ball, passing and work-rate have been impressive, but with Suarez suspended, the Palermo forward must now step out of his shadow and prove his goalscoring credentials.
Netherlands player to watch: Mark Van Bommel. One of the Oranje’s unsung heroes in South Africa, Van Bommel and fellow midfield enforcer Nigel De Jong have frequently done the Dutch dirty work – breaking up play to allow the creative talents of Dirk Kuyt, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben to flourish. The Bayern Munich man is proficient at doing the simple things such as passing and intercepting effectively and played a crucial role in keeping Kaka quiet in the second-half against Brazil. This time around he will be charged with keeping Forlan at bay and if he manages to stifle Uruguay’s dangerman, Netherlands have a great chance of progressing.
Key battle: Diego Godin/ Mauricio Victorino/ Álvaro Pereira v Arjen Robben. The suspension of Uruguay left-back Jorge Fucile has given Oscar Tabarez a huge defensive dilemma: who should be charged with shackling Netherlands star turn Arjen Robben? The Bayern Munich winger has been in