Canada blanked by Uruguay in World Cup tune-up match

• Canada 0, Uruguay 2 (De La Cruz 6’, Núñez 33’)
• Reds hold their own against the two-time World Cup champions
• Borjan earns 67th cap, moves past Alex Bunbury for 8th all-time

The Canadian men's team was desperate to test itself against a top-tier nation before heading to Qatar for the FIFA World Cup.

It had been more than two years since Canada faced a non-Concacaf opponent prior to this month's international window, which is why Tuesday’s friendly against Uruguay was so important for its World Cup preparations.

And while Canada came out on the short end of a 2-0 loss to Uruguay at Stadion Tehelné Pole in Bratislava, Slovakia, the Reds more than held their own against the South Americans.

Uruguay is No. 13 in the current FIFA world rankings, 30 spots above Canada, and is one of only four nations to have advanced out of the group stage in each of the last three World Cups. La Celeste (The Sky Blue) also boasts a side littered with marquee players who play their trades at top European clubs.