The Portugal-Uruguay played tonight in Lusail (Qatar) cannot be said to have been something foreign to Spanish football. Up to now, no other match in this World Cup -not counting those in red- has brought together players with so much past or present in our football.
The event brought clashes even within the same team: the most notorious was the one that faced João Félix with José María Giménez, defender against Atlético striker.
Atlético was the team in the Santander League that had more troops than its colors have felt. Apart from José María Giménez, from Atlético, central defender Godín and Luis Suárez, history of Uruguayan football, have played with Uruguay. And the current coach of the celeste, Diego Alonso, also played at the Vicente Calderón when the colchoneros were in the Second Division. João Félix played with Portugal.
Real Madrid also had a lot of representation. Portuguese who have played at the Bernabeu have been Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe, the two starters tonight. And in Uruguay Fede Valverde was in the eleven, essential in Ancelotti's current team.
Valencia also had representation in both teams: Cancelo in Portugal and Cavani plus an ex, Maxi Gómez in Uruguay. Barcelona had three players from Uruguay, two in the current team but none played: Martín Cáceres, on the bench, and Araujo, who still hasn't made his debut due to his injury. And Luis Suárez had more history at the Camp Nou than at the Metropolitan.
Three other players have been or were in the League: the Portuguese William Carvalho plays for Betis and the Uruguayan Pellistri went through Alavés and Mathias Olivera for Getafe.
