Previously on Rio de la Plata, Ángel Bastardo won his fourth consecutive Uruguayan Primera División league title.

“Estimado señor o señora,

World Cup 2022 was always going to be my final adventure with La Celeste. I am taking this Uruguayan side into the Qatar World Cup as continental champions, having conquered South America in 2020’s Copa América. The squad I have chosen is a mixture of exuberant youth and guys who have seen this all before. All of them are warriors with the Garra Charrúa spirit, I assure you.

I can also assure you that I will do my best to continue the miracle of Uruguayan football. We will stay true to your country’s values and represent each and every one of you as best we can. This is our pledge.

Best Wishes,

Ángel Bastardo

Manager of Peñarol & La Celeste”.

The Group Stage

Group F

Belgium (ranked 5th in the World)

Uruguay (ranked 12th in the World)

Poland (ranked 23rd in the World)

Mali (ranked 46th in the World)

We started with a win against a Malian 4-4-2 low block, filmed live on-air with my podcasting co-host, Daniel Gear.  Perhaps not the best game to stream and get your MVP on board, but we saw two goals: the predatory instincts of Edinson Cavani and a Maxi Gómez header.  3 points was the absolute minimum requirement and I am glad we came out of this game unscathed. Mali 0-2 Uruguay.

If we thought Mali's approach was disgusting, Belgium lined up in a defensive 3-4-3 DM formation against us in the second group game. The streamed game started poorly, not only was Dan Gear replaced with DatGuyJayCee, we also went down 1-0 after 4 mins to a Romelu Lukaku close range strike.  But we're Bastardo's Uruguay…and we instantly rallied in the 1st half.  A 15 minute period of exciting football saw us grab two goals: Gómez and Cavani once again the scorers.  The 2nd half fizzled out, not only did Eden Hazard ping one into the top corner (with our GK taking a moment to relax), Belgium continued with the same defensive formation.  Uruguay 2-2 Belgium at FT.  4 points from a possible 6 isn't bad, but it meant our fate went down to the final group game against Poland (who smashed Mali 5-2).

Going into the crunch match Vs Poland we were missing Gómez, due to suspension, and Cavani was a major doubt. Chatting to co-commentator FridayNightFM, I decided that we’d give Cavani the hour and play Suárez in place of Gómez. The remaining headache was Lucas Olaza, who was my only recognised ‘fit’ Left Back…despite his condition being jaded.

I was probably over worrying! Both Olaza & Cavani scored and we were comfortable throughout. Lucas Olaza in particular highlighted that condition means absolutely nothing in Football Manager 2020, as he bossed the left hand side of the pitch. Box-to-box he was sublime and quite rightly earned Man of the Match: Poland 0-2 Uruguay. We did not outscore Belgium though, so goal difference means we drew Germany instead of Netherlands.

Last 16

Uruguay Vs Germany (ranked 2nd in the World)

Nobody wants to face-off against Germany in a Last 16 tie, especially my FM20 Uruguayan side. Germany were the current European Champions in the save, having won Euro 2020, and now had Roger Schmidt in charge. Right away my guest commentator for the night, Matthias / FM Scribe, predicted that we’d see a very high pressing 4-4-2; and that’s exactly what we got. The wonder boys of Kai Havertz & Timo Werner were upfront, and on the wings they have the rapid pace of Leroy Sané & Serge Gnabry. Due to my stubbornness (and a lack of alternative familiarity in the 4-1-4-1 / 4-4-2 formations we had locked in), we’d go with the 4-1-3-2 Gallardo approach. Sometimes good football, sometimes frustratingly mundane.

Unfortunately, we never got going in the 1st half. A VAR decision correctly ruled out a José Giménez far post headed goal and my accompanying joy lasted only a second or two. Then it was a hard slog to Half-Time. On the way, Lucas Olaza (MOTM from the Poland game) came down with a foot injury…he was ruined. I decided to keep him on until Half-Time, where we’d review his situation and adjust. Big Mistake: a minute into injury time (due to Olaza’s injury of course) Lukas Klostermann played a ball from the touchline into space for Timo Werner to run onto. It was now a race to see who was the fastest, Olaza Vs Werner, and there was only one winner. Werner’s cross-cum-shot [DO NOT GOOGLE] was parried by our Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, the ball then fell kindly for Kai Havertz to place into the net. 1-0 Germany. It’s pure FM shitness…a 45+1 minute goal.

Uruguay have a great First XI, but when you need to make changes…the lack of depth can quickly become evident. Our second Left Back, Federico Ricca of Sevilla, was also carrying a groin strain…so we turned to Lucas Torreira to deputise. We kept the 4-1-3-2 with Rodrigo Bentancur now playing in the Half-Back role, and hoped for a better 45 minutes.

Alas, it never really got going. Our system was relatively effective at coping with Germany, but a goal is what we needed. Plus, when you do get a golden chance…you need to take it. As Maxi Gómez proved on minute 69, when failing to beat Marc-André ter Stegen in a crucial 1v1 duel.

The game fizzled out in the last 20 minutes, but it left enough time for Nahitan Nández to grab two yellow cards in the space of three minutes (‘83 & ‘86). It summed up the frustrations that myself, and most of the stream, were feeling. But I suppose it wouldn’t be Uruguay without a bit of Garra Charrúa (Warrior Spirit) in the face of adversity.

It ended Uruguay 0-1 Germany. Ángel Bastardo’s 1,057 day spell in charge of the Uruguayan National Team had come to an end: 31 played - 16 wins - 7 draws and 8 losses. But please don’t forget that 2020 Copa América title he brought home to his adopted country!

Oh and Germany…

The Fall

Italian Referee Massimiliano Irrati blew his whistle for Full Time.  Uruguay were exiting the World Cup and Bastardo's demons pulled him back to the painful realisation of failure.  In that moment, the muscle memory in his hand reached for the concealed pistol in his blazer pocket…a habit of the old ways he could never shake.  He turned to face Roger Schmidt and his backroom staff…but they were gone, and the crowds around both technical areas rapidly dispersed. Bastardo felt uneasy, something was off.

The screams of joy from spectators in the stands…suddenly turned to cries of fear.  From across the field, by the far corner flag, stood Russia’s Superior Agent, Ruslan Chepiga. With two armed guards by his side, he paced towards Bastardo’s direction with equally measured strides.  His polished black shoes kicking up dust from the scorched Qatari pitch. The guards wore striking Kevlar jackets, the yellow letters on them unmistakable: F-B-I.  Americans.  Americans advancing.

Without hesitation, Bastardo took the safety off his pistol and began to fire.

To Be Continued.