Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said that France were worthy winners of Friday’s World Cup quarter-final but that his small country had once again shown why it deserves its place alongside the best nations in global soccer.
In charge of Uruguay for the last three World Cups, Tabarez has taken his teams beyond the group stage each time - to the semi-final in 2010, the last 16 in 2014, and the quarters in Russia.
They were comfortably beaten 2-0, however, at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium by a smooth-looking French team.
“We couldn’t control their strengths,” Tabarez said, looking sad but calm after his players left the field in tears to an ovation from their travelling fans.
“Today we played against opponents who were better and stronger than us. We have to admit it and congratulate them.”
The Europeans won with a Raphael Varane header in the first half and a fumble by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera in the second that let a soft Antoine Griezmann shot go in.
“I told all my players after the match that they can be very proud, they can keep their heads high,” said Tabarez, who saw his team nearly equalize at the end of the first half but otherwise create little.
“I’m not going to tell you what I said with my goalkeeper. He has been a very important pillar for us. I am not going to wash my hands putting any responsibility on the players.”

‘France were better’, says gracious Uruguay coach Tabarez
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez looks on during the Uruguay-France World Cup quarter final match on July 6, 2018. (Reuters)
Reuters, Nizhny novgorod, Russia
Friday 06 July 2018
Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:57 - GMT 06:57
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