Edinson Cavani scored the only goal of the game early in the second half as Uruguay edged out Wales 1-0 in the China Cup final on Monday afternoon.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker converted from close range after Luis Suarez had twice hit the post in an entertaining first half.
A couple of half-chances went begging for the Dragons either side of Cavani's goal, which would prove to be the winner in Nanning.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
11.35amHello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the China Cup final showdown between Wales and Uruguay at the Guangxi Sports Center in Nanning. The Dragons progressed through to this stage with a 6-0 win over the tournament hosts on Thursday morning, while their opponents earned a straightforward 2-0 victory against Czech Republic the following day.
11.37amThis is the second match to take place in this impressive 60,000-seater stadium today, as Czech Republic beat China 4-1 a little earlier to finish third. The hosts took an early lead through Fan Xiaodong and remained in front until the hour mark, at which point their European opponents simply ran away with it. Tomas Kalas levelled things up, before Patrik Schick, Michael Krmencik and Pavel Kaderabek added to the scoring in quick succession.
11.39amTEAM NEWS!
WALES STARTING XI: Hennessey; Gunter, Chester, Williams, Davies, John: King, Allen; Wilson, Vokes, Bale
URUGUAY STARTING XI: Muslera; Varela, Godin, Gimenez, Laxalt; Nandez, Bentancur, Vecino; Rodriguez; Cavani, Luis Suarez
11.41amStarting with a look at the Wales team, manager Ryan Giggs has opted to go with the same side that dismantled China here four days ago. That means a place in the frontline for Gareth Bale, who netted a hat-trick last time out to become his nation's all-time leading goalscorer. Harry Wilson and Sam Vokes (two) also netted in Nanning, and they are used from the off today.
11.43amThe win over China was also a memorable occasion for Chris Gunter, who became the Dragons' leading outfield appearance maker. The Reading stalwart adds to his caps with a start at wing-back here, on the opposite flank to Declan John - a man who has revived his career in Scotland with Rangers and impressed when given a rare outing last time out. James Chester, Ben Davies and skipper Ashley Williams line up in a three-man backline.
11.45amElsewhere, Wayne Hennessey is retained in goal and there are also starts for Joe Allen and Andy King in the middle of the park. Giggs had been expected to rotate his side for these two spring friendlies, but after cruising past China he is clearly targeting another big display this afternoon so therefore sticks with a winning formula. The organisers, who are said to have paid the Dragons around £1m to travel over, may also have had a word or two to say about that!
11.47amSwitching attention to Uruguay's starting lineup, long-serving boss Oscar Tabarez has also made minimal changes from the 2-0 win over Czech Republic. Just the one alteration, in fact, with Cristian Rodriguez coming in for Giorgian de Arrascaeta in attacking midfield. Further forward, there is good news for those crammed into the Guangxi Sports Center - Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani both retain their spots up top.
11.49amThis is essentially a 4-4-2 formation for La Celeste, spearheaded by star players Suarez and Cavani, both of whom were on the scoresheet in that straightforward victory over the Czechs. A special occasion for Cavani, who is once again netting at a prolific rate for club side Paris Saint-Germain this term, as he makes his 100th appearance at international level. Suarez, meanwhile, earns his 96th cap - he has scored 50 goals in that time.
11.51amRyan Giggs has stuck with the same XI that cruised to a 6-0 win over China on Thursday morning, meaning that Gareth Bale is once again used in attack. Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez makes just the one change, meanwhile, despite the quick turnaround in games, as Cristian Rodriguez comes in for Giorgian de Arrascaeta in attacking midfield.
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11.53amDID YOU KNOW? Wales are seeking their first senior international trophy of any sort since 1937, when finishing top of the group in the British Home Championship. The Dragons won three from three that year to oust England, Scotland and a unified Ireland side. The closest they have come to success since then was in France a little under two years ago.
11.55amA chance for Wales to add some silverware to their collection this afternoon then which, despite this being a friendly competition, would provide them with a big boost on the back of their World Cup 2018 qualification disappointment. The Euro 2016 semi-finalists have now slipped down to 20th in the latest FIFA rankings, having spent some time in the lofty heights inside the top 10 not so long ago.
11.57amIt really was a dream start to permanent management for Giggs, who was a pretty underwhelming appointment but is perhaps now starting to win over supporters - even more so if his can guide his side to victory today. Giggs, selected as Chris Coleman's successor after seeing off competition from Osian Roberts, Mark Bowen and Craig Bellamy, has spoken in the last 48 hours about now pushing on from the 6-0 win over China here.
11.59amVictory was as comfortable as you like from Wales's perspective, taking the lead within two minutes through star man Bale, who would go on to add a couple more before being withdrawn a little over an hour into the contest. Vokes also produced one of his finest performances in a Wales top, setting up two goals and bagging a brace of his own, while fellow attacker Wilson got off the mark with his first international goal.
12.01pmAll in all it was an impressive day for the Dragons, with goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey even producing a top-class save in the latter stages of the game. Still, Giggs had been expected to make one or two changes today, perhaps turning to Ben Woodburn in attack, though the Manchester United legend is clearly keen to stick with a solid core of players. Even without Aaron Ramsey, Joe Ledley, Tom Lawrence and Ethan Ampadu, this is still a fairly strong squad.
12.03pmQualifying for the next European Championships is the immediate target for Giggs. There is just one more friendly to play after today, against World Cup-bound Mexico in the United States in May, before double-headers against Republic of Ireland and Denmark in the inaugural UEFA Nations League. Come out on top in that three-team group and the Dragons could earn a backdoor route to the Euros.
12.05pmThe official Euro 2020 qualifiers start next year, so Giggs still has a little time to experiment with various formations. On the basis of his first two matches in charge, a three-man backline - which worked wonders for Wales on the road to France, and indeed throughout Euro 2016 - will be the formation of choice. That then opens the door for Declan John to possibly hold down a spot at left wing-back.
12.07pmThere is still a sense of disappointment in the Wales camp after narrowly missing out on a World Cup playoff berth, as they finished behind Serbia and Republic of Ireland in their winnable group. A 1-0 home loss to the Irish brought an end to their campaign, and indeed Coleman's tenure, with the now-Sunderland boss lasting two more friendlies before stepping aside.
12.09pmWhat made that loss to Ireland so disappointing is that Wales had momentum on their side, picking up three wins on the spin in the autumn to remain on course for at least second place. Too many draws would ultimately cost them in the end, however, and they must now wait until 2020 at the earliest before gracing another international tournament. Failure to qualify for that would be equally as disappointing.
12.11pmDefeat to Ireland was Wales's first in 10 matches, though they have since gone on to lose to France in a Paris friendly. Even accounting for those recent losses, however, the Dragons have been defeated just three times in 17; one of those coming at the hands of Portugal in the Euro 2016 semi-finals.
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12.13pmWales have also drawn 1-1 with Panama and beaten China 6-0 since the end of the qualifying campaign. This match against Uruguay will certainly be a lot tougher than their last outing four days ago, as they take on a nation that finished second only to Brazil in the CONMEBOL region for the upcoming World Cup. Cavani and Suarez are the standout names, but there is quality throughout the squad.
12.15pmUruguay find themselves at 22nd in the latest FIFA rankings, leaving them two places behind today's opponents. That can in part be explained by a terrible run of form when losing five matches in a row between November 2016 and June 2017 - three of those being competitive fixtures. They have since lost just one of their last seven, though, and comfortably qualified for Russia 2018 in the end.
12.17pmLa Celeste won exactly half of their 18 qualifying games and drew four, seeing them finish well clear of Peru in the fifth and final qualifying spot. Tabarez's men have a rather mixed record in friendlies since the end of the qualifying campaign, meanwhile, drawing with Poland and losing to Austria - who Wales took four points off in their own qualifying campaign - before seeing off Czech Republic at the weekend.
12.19pmSuarez notched his 50th international goal and Cavani also registered on his 99th cap for Uruguay in that win over the Czechs, who were undoubtedly the tougher of the two beaten semi-finalists. The South American outfit have one more friendly pencilled in before the World Cup finals, coming against Uzbekistan in early June. This, though, will be the last chance for Tabarez to watch his players up close before selecting a 23-man squad.
12.21pmOnce at the World Cup, Uruguay will face hosts Russia, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Tabarez's men are surely considered as favourites to top that group, though the bad news for them is that one of Spain or Portugal will likely await in the first knockout stage. Anything other than a place in the last-16 really would be considered a disaster for the two-time winners of the competition.
12.23pmOn the subject of Tabarez, the 71-year-old has now been in charge of the Uruguay national side for a whopping 12 years. While Giggs is managing his nation for just a second time today, Tabarez racks up his 185th match - more than any other boss has managed with a single nation. These two games in the Far East are all about whittling down his squad to just 23 players.
12.25pmPREVIOUS MEETINGS! These two sides have met on just one previous occasion, playing out a goalless draw in a 1986 friendly at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham. Ian Rush and Mark Hughes were tasked with leading Wales's line on that occasion in front of 11,000 or so spectators.
12.27pmWith kickoff in Nanning now a little less than 10 minutes away, let us check out some pre-match thoughts from the Wales camp.
Gareth Bale: "In the tournament no matter what competition it is you want to win it. We want to perform well, we want to do the right things on the pitch. If we do that we have a good chance of winning. We know that they're a good team. We also concentrate on ourselves and what we're good at. If we do that we'll win the game."
Ashley Williams: "I think they're a very strong team. We watched the game against Czech Republic the other day and we've done some work on them. We know it's going to be a very difficult game. They've played together for a long time, and they have some star players in. We're expecting a tough night [but] it's a game that we're confident of winning."
12.29pmBoth Bale and Williams acknowledge how tough today's game will be, especially in comparison to the stroll against China four days ago. The obvious focus pre-match has been on Suarez, who Williams described as the toughest opponent he has faced during his time in the Premier League. Interestingly, the Dragons skipper also hit out at the ex-Liverpool man in his autobiography, labelling him a diver.
12.31pmPREDICTION! Just two places separate these two nations in the FIFA rankings and it is Wales who are better placed. Uruguay are the ones heading off to the World Cup, though, having recovered from a mid-campaign stutter to finish second behind Brazil in the CONMEBOL system. A tight game can be expected today, with La Celeste just edging it 2-1.
12.33pmBoth sets of players have made their way on to the pitch and we have already had the anthems, so kickoff in Nanning is now just a couple of minutes away. A reminder that Oscar Tabarez is taking charge of his 185th match as Uruguay this afternoon in a run spanning 12 years - an incredible feat. Ryan Giggs, by comparison, takes charge of Wales for just a second time.
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1 minKICKOFF! Thirty seconds on the clock and Bale already on one of his trademark runs, charging into the box but failing to get away a shot or pick out one of his teammates. A promising sign for Wales so early in the contest.
3 minOFF THE POST! An early scare for Wales after Suarez took down a diagonal pass and unleashed a shot, which came back off the post. The Dragons being given so little time on the ball in the middle of the park early on.
5 minSAVE! This game has started in a breathtaking fashion. Allen is rushed on the ball again but still finds Bale, who in turn sets Wilson free down the right. The youngster managed to pick out Vokes in the middle, with the first-time shot hit at Fernando Muslera.
7 minURUGUAY SUB! Gimenez landed awkwardly in a challenge with King a little earlier and has had to be replaced inside the opening 10 minutes. Sebastian Coates is introduced and will slot into the heart of defence alongside Diego Godin.
9 minA lively start to the match, then, with Suarez hitting the post, Vokes getting a shot on target and Gimenez limping off injured. Allen and King not being given a second to breathe on the ball in the centre of Wales's midfield.
11 minNot been a lot of action over the last five minutes or so in Nanning, with the two teams now struggling to fashion chances. The Dragons' play is a little forced at the moment, as they are having to work overtime in the middle of the park.
13 minA roar goes around the Guangxi Sports Center from Wales's 600 or so travelling supporters. Bale is giving his man all sorts of problems down the Wales right at the moment, coming deep to help start attacking moves for his side.
15 minCHANCE! Not quite sure what happened here. Suarez picked up on ball towards the right-hand side of the box and sent a cross into the middle for Cavani, who could not get a foot to it from five yards. Hennessey grateful to see it go straight out.
17 minSAVE! Half a chance for Vokes in the Wales attack, but he could not quite get his headed attempt on target - it was not easy. King then has a go from further back, but can only pick out Muslera with his on-target drive. Good play from the Dragons.
19 minWales have not had it all their own way in the opening quarter of this friendly, but they have certainly had encouraging moments. Vokes has had one chance and another half-chance, while King's drive on goal had to be kept out by Muslera.
21 minCLOSE! This would have been an incredible goal from Vecino had it been a few inches to the right. Suarez helped the ball to his teammate on the edge of the box, and the volleyed effort - despite being on his way to the ground - flew past Hennessey's goal.
23 minThe opening quarter of this match flew by, with chances at both ends of the pitch at the Guangxi Sports Centre. Things do appear to be settling down a little on the basis of the last couple of minutes. Suarez flagged for offside when trying to get in behind.
25 minNot sure if this was a shot or a cross from John, but either way it had Muslera a little worried in the opposition goal. The ball may have been creeping narrowly wide, regardless. A cross at the other end has a little too much on it for Suarez.
25 minAndy King very fortunate to escape a booking for his challenge on Nahitan Nandez - a bad tackle and the Uruguay man was also breaking clear. That all came from Bale losing possession when attempting to do a little too much on his own.
27 minA little lull in the match now as both teams take it in turns to enjoy possession. It has been a very entertaining opening half an hour or so in Nanning, and we could easily have seen a goal at either end. A reminder that we will go straight to pens if it finishes level.
29 minGiggs decided against making any changes until about the hour mark against China and that may again be the case. Woodburn for Wilson is an obvious suggestion if he wishes to alter things in the forward line. A few uncapped options also available.
31 minOFF THE POST! Suarez hits the post for a second time! Poor play from Williams and Hennessey also did not cover himself in glory, as the Barcelona striker got to the ball first, rounded the keeper and then picked out the post despite having an open goal to aim for.
33 minIn defence of Suarez, the angle was against him from that huge chance. A two-minute stoppage in play now, giving Wales's players a chance to have a water break, as Harry Wilson is down receiving some treatment following a tackle.
35 minAnother cross into the box causes panic but Wales cannot turn it goalwards. A corner is won moments later, though, from which the ball is sprayed back out to Joe Allen and he cuts inside to send a shot wide of the goal.
37 minSAVE! A big hand from Hennessey helps Cavani's shot from 20 yards over the crossbar. James Chester this time at fault in a shaky Welsh backline, only for his goalkeeper to bail him out with an impressive one-handed save.
39 minSAVE! The game has burst back into life once again, with midfielder Andy King firing away a half-volley from 20 yards which is pushed aside by Muslera. Both sides will argue that they deserve to be ahead as we approach half time.
41 minWales were harried on the ball in the early stages, but since then they have looked a lot more comfortable and have matched Uruguay in that regard. Those inside this 60,000-capacity ground being treated to some great football so far.
43 minSuarez optimistically goes for goal more than 30 yards from goal, sending the free kick into Wales's leaping wall. The rebound fell to Vecino, who managed to clear the sea of red and white shirts but could not keep the ball on target.
45 minRodriguez with a shot that never looked likely to trouble Hennessey, who has taken a fair bit of time over the subsequent goal kick. Wales clearly happy to hear the half-time whistle now, which is just 60 seconds or so away from sounding.
45+1 minHALF TIME: WALES 0-0 URUGUAY
1.24pmSo, so close to a goal from the final piece of action in the first half. Harry Wilson's deep free kick appeared to go right the way through and needed pushing aside by Muslera, with Bale maybe getting the slightest of touches. Good first half showing from Wales.
1.27pmThe tempo of the match was set early on as Luis Suarez took down a diagonal pass and unleashed a shot that came back off the post, moments before Sam Vokes's first-time shot in the box was kept out by Fernando Muslera. Uruguay, forced into an early change when Jose Gimenez hobbled off, then came close through a Matias Vecino volley from range. Edinson Cavani was unable to tap in Suarez's cross from a few yards out and Andy King twice picked out Muslera with Wales's latest attempts.
1.30pmThe South American nation were the ones steadily building momentum as the first half edged to its conclusion, with Suarez rounding Wayne Hennessey following an Ashley Williams error but somehow finding the upright and not the back of an empty net. Cavani's powerful strike was kept out by Hennessey to deny him a goal on his 100th cap, but it was the Dragons who should have snatched a half-time lead as Harry Wilson's free kick took a touch off Bale, forcing Muslera into a smart stop down low.
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46 minRESTART! Just two places separate these nations in the latest FIFA rankings, and that told in the opening 45 minutes as they managed to cancel themselves out in a lively first half. More of the same and we will head to penalties.
48 minConfirmation that neither manager made any changes at the interval. Suarez hit the post around this point in the first half, but he has not really seen any of the ball since the restart at the Guangxi Sports Center.
49 minBale is taken out and Wales have a free kick in a promising position. The delivery was disappointing, though, allowing Muslera to collect and spring a counter-attach, which culminated in Cavani teeing up Vecino to belt wide of the target.
50 minGOAL! WALES 0-1 URUGUAY (EDINSON CAVANI)
51 minEdinson Cavani opens the scoring on his 100th appearance for Uruguay, scoring the simplest of goals. A ball over the top caught Wales sleeping, and Cristian Rodriguez was able to square the ball for Cavani to roll past Wayne Hennessey.
53 minCLOSE! Half-decent response from Wales, with Andy King's latest attempt drifting narrowly wide. Sam Vokes very nearly got on the end of it, but he did not even attempt to slide in - perhaps a little too far out of his reach.
55 minCHANCE! How on earth has Cavani failed to convert this chance?! A ball in from the right picked out the Paris Saint-Germain marksman a few yards out, but he got it stuck under his feet when attempting to power it home.
57 minUruguay starting to dominate now, as a ball into the box is met by Cavani. The PSG ace perhaps should have gone for goal, but instead attempted to lay it off for a teammate, which Hennessey was alert to. Giggs perhaps contemplating a change.
59 minWALES SUB! Ryan Giggs makes his first change of the afternoon, and it is a big moment for Connor Roberts as he comes on for his international debut. Left wing-back Declan John is the player to make way, with half an hour to go.
61 minBale unable to find the target with his free kick from a promising position. It instead hit the wall and went behind for a corner kick. Wales now the side slowly starting to build some momentum in search of the game's second goal.
63 minWales enjoying a positive spell but they are unable to really create too much of anything at the moment. Would not be surprised to see Tabarez turn to his bench for a second time in the next few minutes, as we approach the final quarter.
65 minJust the one shot on goal at either end so far in this second half; King coming close with his shot and Cavani converting from his. La Celeste now looking quite happy to slow the game down when they can, protecting that slender lead.
67 minWALES SUB! Vokes has made less of an impact on this match compared to against China, and the Burnley striker's afternoon is now over. Billy Bodin is on in his place, himself making a first appearance at senior level.
69 minNot really happening for Wales at the moment in their search for an equaliser. They managed six goals by this stage on Thursday but have been unable to find a way through here so far. Still a little over 20 minutes for that to change!
71 minURUGUAY SUB! Not for the first time today, Suarez gets in behind but cannot pick out a teammate on this occasion. Lucas Torreira has now been introduced, taking over from Cristian Rodriguez who departs with an assist to his name.
73 minWALES SUB! Almost a perfect pass from Wilson, whose little flick into the path of Allen had a tad too much on it. Lee Evans is the latest player to be introduced for Wales, earning cap number three for the national side.
75 minCLOSE! King is not known for his goalscoring ability - just two goals in 45 caps before today - but he has come close a number of times today. This latest shot from the edge of the box deflects wide of the target, as a grateful Muslera watches on.
77 minSHOT! Lee Evans gets a shot away that appeared to be edging narrowly wide. Muslera was happy to get down and collect the ball, with Wales now racking up the shots but still struggling to seriously test the opposition keeper.
79 minWALES SUB! Giggs not really helping his side in their attempt to build momentum, constantly breaking up play with his use of subs. Tom Lockyer is introduced for the closing 10 minutes, taking over from fellow defender James Chester.
81 minEvans does very well to control a Gunter pass on the right, cut inside and then get a cross into a dangerous position. Williams had a little too much to do and could not generate any power, though he felt that he was being pulled back.
83 minWales, who now have Matthews on the field for record outfield appearance maker Gunter, are desperately pushing for a leveller but not really coming close to finding one. Cavani's goal is still the difference between the two sides.
85 minLee Evans has looked lively since being introduced. The Sheffield United midfielder a little disappointed with himself, though, having sent a volley wide of the target from 20 yards. Wales now have five minutes to force penalties in Nanning.
87 minFive changes made by Giggs so far but Woodburn, so impressive at the tail end of World Cup 2018 qualifying is not one of them. The Liverpool youngster, who is on the periphery of things at Anfield, is said to be carrying a slight knock.
89 minWALES SUB! Just a minute of normal time left to play in Nanning but Wales refusing to give up. Ryan Hedges is now on for his second senior cap, taking over from Ben Davies. Giggs happy to now gamble by bringing on an attacking player for a defensive one.
90+1 minUruguay just a couple of minutes away from a morale-boosting victory. Wales have put up a good fight but will feel a tad disappointed not to have taken one of their numerous half-chances. Still a couple of minutes to salvage penalties...
90+3 minFULL TIME: WALES 0-1 URUGUAY
2.34pmUruguay see things through to earn a slender 1-0 victory, meaning that they are the 2018 China Cup winners. Wales wasted a few half-chances either side of Edinson Cavani's goal 49 minutes in, which would prove to be the winner in Nanning.
2.36pmThat concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at the Guangxi Sports Center. An on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, while some reaction from the friendly in Nanning can be found elsewhere on the site in due course. Thanks for joining!
