Uruguay 1-0 Saudi Arabia: Luis Suarez winner seals World Cup last-16 spot

Published on: 21 June 2018

South America side Uruguay booked their place in the last 16 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup after a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Rostov-on-Don on Wednesday afternoon.

The victory, which also confirms Russia's place in the knockout stage and eliminates both Saudi Arabia and Egypt, was secured through a close-range goal from Luis Suarez (23) on his 100th appearance for his country.

Uruguay now needs to beat Russia in Samara next Monday to top the group, while Saudi Arabia will head home following their final Group A game against Egypt.

Saudi Arabia was humbled 5-0 by Russia in their opening match, but performed much more admirably in Rostov, dominating first-half possession and carving out two early opportunities for Hatan Bahbir, who hit a long-range shot at Fernando Muslera and volleyed wide from close range.

But their hard work was undone by some poor marking in the 23rd minute as Suarez became the first Uruguayan to score in three successive World Cup finals with the opening goal.

Carlos Sanchez swung in a corner which sailed to the far post where the unmarked Barcelona forward volleyed home with his left foot from the edge of the six-yard box.

Both sides appeared to struggle in the Rostov heat for much of the game and Sanchez wasted the first big opportunity of the second half when he headed Edinson Cavani's inswinging cross over the bar.

Cavani himself almost inadvertently doubled the lead with 10 minutes to go when substitute Lucas Torreira struck a wild shot from distance which deflected off his face and went narrowly wide of the post.

He had an even better chance four minutes before the end when he bullied Ali Al-Bulayhi and forced a smart stop from Mohammed Al-Owais.

Saudi Arabia rarely threatened to equalise and while Uruguay's organised football was hardly eye-catching, their veteran boss Oscar Tabarez will care little about securing a passage to the knockout stages on the back of a pair of 1-0 wins.

Uruguay will play hosts Russia in Samara at 3pm next Monday to determine which side will top the group, while Saudi Arabia will face Egypt at the same time in Volgograd with both eliminated sides looking to pick up their first points of the tournament.

 

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