After drawing with Chile and Peru in its opening two Group C matches, Uruguay needs to beat a second-string Mexico side on Tuesday to guarantee a spot in the quarterfinals.
Luis Suarez and Alvaro Pereira have scored for Uruguay, but Diego Forlan has yet to find the net just a year after being voted the best player at the World Cup.
''Our attitude is the same as other matches,'' Suarez said. ''We know we have to win and advancing depends on us. It's clear this is the decisive game.''
Uruguay will play without two key starters: winger Martin Caceres is suspended and forward Edinson Cavani is injured.
''It's not the greatest moment,'' Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera said. ''But we have a chance to win, and we could even win the group.''
Forlan shrugged off the fact he hasn't scored.
''There are times when you hit the post, or just miss,'' Forlan said. ''Other times they go in.''
Mexico is the only team without a point in two matches. The Mexicans, playing as a guest in the tournament, are fielding an Olympic-style, under-23 team without stars like Javier ''Chicharito'' Hernandez, who helped them win the Gold Cup two weeks ago in the United States.
Still, Mexico has hope and might still make the quarterfinals with a victory.
''They (Uruguay) are not at the same level they showed in the World Cup,'' Mexico forward Rafael Marquez Lugo said.
