Uruguay leaves star striker Luis Suarez on bench for World Cup opener vs Costa Rica

Published February 05, 2015

Uruguay has left Luis Suarez on the bench for its opening World Cup game against Costa Rica, opting not to risk the star striker's health as he recovers from knee surgery.

Coach Oscar Tabarez fielded strikers Diego Forlan and Edinson Cavani in the Group D match at Arena Castelao in Fortaleza.

Joel Campbell leads the attack for the Costa Ricans, while central defender Michael Unama recovered from the flu to make the starting lineup.

Even without Suarez, Uruguay is a big favorite against Costa Rica.

Uruguay: Fernando Muslera, Diego Lugano, Diego Godin, Walter Gargano, Cristian Rodriguez, Diego Forlan, Cristian Stuani, Maxi Pereira, Egidio Arevalo, Edinson Cavani, Martin Caceres.

Costa Rica: Keylor Navas, Giancarlo Gonzalez, Michael Umana, Celso Birges, Oscar Duarte, Christian Bolanos, Joel Campbell, Bryan Ruiz, Junior Diaz, Cristian Gamboa, Yeltsin Tejeda.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/uruguay-leaves-star-striker-luis-suarez-on-bench-for-world-cup-opener-vs-costa-rica