Wales 0-1 Uruguay: 5 Talking Points

Edinson Cavani struck early in the 2nd half to sink Wales as Uruguay claimed the China Cup trophy in an entertaining affair in Nanning's Guangxi Sports Centre stadium.

An evenly fought contest saw the sides enter the break goalless, courtesy to some profligate finishing at both ends of the field. But only three minutes into the second half, Christian Rodriguez drove down the left wing to slip an inch-perfect pass for Cavani to tap home for the opener.

The Dragons had their fare share of moments at goal with Gareth Bale leading the charge, but couldn't break beyond the glass-ceiling they seemed to hit as Uruguay ultimately ran out winners. Here are some observations from the tie.

#1 Wales and Uruguay fight tooth and nail

Friendly? Didn't look like one!

Whilst it was supposed to be nothing more than exhibition or a friendly match, Uruguay and Wales appeared to put the idea on the back burner and go hell for leather right from the off.

La Celeste in fact, hit the woodwork as early as the second minute while Andy King and Sam Vokes tested Fernando Muslera soon after. Chances flew at an increasing rate at both ends as Wales and Uruguay relentlessly pushed bodies forward. The result was a thrilling, end-to-end contest that felt like a World Cup game as the thronging fans were served a delightful feast.

The teams seemed to abandon the fact that it wasn't a competitive game, while their approach and execution sure made it feel so. Hardly would one get to see an international 'friendly' fought fiercely, let alone to this extent.

#2 The Dragons leave a lot to be desired in attack

Despite Gareth Bale's best efforts, Wales never found the elusive equaliser

Whilst Gareth Bale and co. comfortably saw off China in the last four, firing at all cylinders in the 6-0 shellacking, things turned a bit more stringent against an experienced Uruguayan outfit. Not to say Wales were poor going forward; for they mustered a staggering 15 shots at goal of which 7 were on target, but some uncharacteristically sloppy finishing kept them on the backfoot.

Bale, Vokes and King tried several attempts from a distance, but the latter was guilty of missing a good chance from point blank range while being played in a set-piece. There were several such moments in the match where they came close, but Ryan Giggs' outfit just couldn't find a breakthrough.

It's in games like these against a big cheese where Wales would truly be judged. And even if they managed to strike six times against the hapless Chinese, it would account for nothing if such profligacy cuts against mightier sides.

#3 Uruguay exploit Wales down the wings

Suarez was a huge threat from the wings

One important observation from the match could be that of Uruguay's buccaneering runs down the wings. Every time they drifted forward, it was mainly from the flanks, before laying off crosses into the box that Wales had a hard time defending against.

Even in the build-up to the first goal, Rodriguez escaped his marker to scythe down the left flank before squaring with Cavani for the opener. It exposed one of the pain points of the Dragons, who looked so vulnerable in those areas. With full-backs busy getting involved in the attack, Uruguay enjoyed breaking on the counter with acres of space down the wings that they exploited to the hilt.

Suarez, Bentacur and Rodriguez conjured a few more chances following the opener, but it was only either misplaced crosses or poor first touches from Cavani that kept the Blues from widening the gap. Manager Ryan Giggs might have failed in his first real test at the helm, but it has brought to light these frailties that he must address in the coming matches.

#4 Billy Bodin makes a fine debut for Wales

Bodin has a promising to start to

life

with the national side

The Preston North End forward earned his international call-up following considerable exploits with the Championship side this term, and the 26-year old was able to replicate some of that in the Welsh colours too.

Having replaced Sam Vokes, Bodin didn't bring the same level of threat going forward, but he linked-up well with Bale and also helped out at the back. Some promising first touches and forward passes helped Wales continue to push for an equaliser. He himself goes for a shot in what was virtually the last kick of the game when he stretched his foot out to connect to a corner, but it swung just wide off the post.

On a night when four players waited in the wings for maiden international caps, only two were handed a chance and Bodin was the one to have made a better impression.

#5 Christian Stuani deserves more chances

Stuani needs more game time

For the second game running, Christian Stuani was overlooked in favour of Edinson Cavani and was yet again brought on in the final few minutes of the match. The Girona forward is making waves with his rich vein of form in La Liga, but a lack of genuine game time is hindering the prospects of replicating the same on the international stage.

Cavani may have scored the winner, but that was the easiest of the finishes. The PSG star missed a few decent chances later on in the match which could've put the tie to bed long before the full-time whistle. Moreover, he's hardly involved in the build-up play. Stuani, on the other hand, isn't only a good goalscorer but harbours penchant to drop back and pull the strings when things aren't working out like we've seen in his game with the Blanquivermell so often this season.

Suarez and Cavani would remain Tabarez's first choice forward in his preferred 4-4-2 set-up, so even if that spells doom for Stuani's starting XI chances, he could be used as a reliable back-up to the erratic no.21.