Uruguay surge up world rankings

Uruguay’s Copa America triumph over Paraguay has seen the country jump to fifth in the FIFA world rankings, their highest ever position.

Uruguay overcame Paraguay 3-0 in the final of the CONMEBOL competition in Buenos Aires earlier this month, becoming South American continental champions for a record 15th time.

Their performance sees them jump 13 places up the rankings, while Paraguay’s efforts did not go unrewarded, the losing finalists moving up six places to 26th.

Surprise semi-finalists Peru leapt 24 places to 25th, while Venezula, who also reached the last four, moved up 29 places to 40th.

Mexico had entered the top 10 with victory in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in June, but their exit from the Copa America without winning a point sees them slip 11 places to 20th.

Brazil survived their surprise quarter-final exit from the Copa, moving up one place to fourth.

They remain behind the top three of world and European champions Spain, World Cup runners-up the Netherlands and beaten World Cup semi-finalists Germany, who are unchanged.

Further down the rankings, England drop to sixth, ahead of Portugal in seventh and Italy in eighth. Croatia, followed by Argentina, round out the top 10.