World Cup specialist Uruguay heads into its opening match of the 2014 tournament against Costa Rica at Castelao, Fortaleza with hopes of improving on the third-placed finish it achieved in South Africa four years ago and replicating the 1950 success at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana that stunned Brazil.

Oscar Tabarez’s side, however, heads into the tournament under something of a cloud, with star striker Luis Suarez rated doubtful for much of the group stage. A knee injury means the 27-year-old, who top-scored in the CONMEBOL qualifiers with 11 strikes and the Premier League last season with 31 goals, is extremely unlikely to play against the Central Americans and may even miss the second fixture against England next week.

Uruguay will likely be at full strength otherwise. Despite Suarez’s absence, it boasts a side of formidable experience, with Diego Forlan, who missed training on Wednesday due to a slight illness, expected to lend the benefit of his 110 caps to a unit that has not changed greatly since the impressive campaign four years ago. Indeed, it is fitting that such an unaltered side should be led by Tabarez, who is the longest-serving coach at the World Cup with eight years’ experience in his role.

Can Uruguay win the World Cup in Brazil like they did in 1950?

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