Injured Araujo dropped from Uruguay squad

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP):

Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo was dropped from Uruguay's national team yesterday because of a groin injury.

Barcelona said Araujo is out indefinitely because of a strained adductor muscle in his left thigh. The central defender got hurt in their 2-1 win over Real Madrid on Sunday but was able to complete the match.

Araujo's own goal gave Madrid an early lead before Barcelona rallied at Camp Nou to take a 12-point lead with 12 games left in the Spanish league season.

Uruguay will play friendlies in Japan on Friday and in South Korea next Tuesday.

The Uruguayan federation said Flamengo midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta also had to be dropped because of an injury. Interim coach Marcelo Marcelo Broli replaced the injured players with Diego Hernandez and Sebastian Caceres.