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World Cup 2018: Uruguay 1-0 Saudi Arabia highlights
Uruguay's slender victory over Saudi Arabia ensured that they and host nation Russia reached the last 16 of the World Cup.
Luis Suarez scored the only goal at the Rostov Arena, sweeping in from close range on his 100th international appearance.
It was hard on the Green Falcons, who were knocked out despite a vast improvement from their 5-0 defeat by Russia in the tournament's opening game.
However, while they largely eliminated their defensive errors and enjoyed more possession than their opponents, they were made to pay for one lapse by goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais, whose misjudgement allowed Suarez to score.
Russia's 3-1 win over Egypt on Tuesday means both they and Uruguay have collected maximum points from their two Group A games.
Both nations are six points clear of third-placed Egypt with one game to play.
Yet with Portugal and Spain as prospective last-16 opponents, it remains to be seen what advantage either could grasp from winning the group when they meet in Samara on 25 June (15.00 BST kick-off).
In truth, it was another stuttering display from Oscar Tabarez's Uruguay team. They were more functional than exhilarating and reliant upon the threat carried by Barcelona's Suarez and strike partner Edinson Cavani.
The Paris St-Germain forward's vision and perseverance should have resulted in a second goal, but Carlos Sanchez spurned a headed chance and Al Owais saved at Cavani's feet in the closing stages.
- Godin pips Suarez to top spot in your player ratings
Centurion Suarez
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Suarez scores tap-in on 100th cap
Suarez may be entering the latter part of his career but the former Liverpool forward's predatory instincts showed no signs of dimming during his 100th appearance for his country.
The 31-year-old was largely anonymous during Uruguay's opening win against Egypt, and though far from the effervescent figure that Premier League and La Liga audiences are familiar with, he remains a difficult opponent to pin down over 90 minutes.
He scored a volley, had another deflected wide and combined well with Cavani early on - but thereafter Saudi defender Ali Albulayhi acted as his shadow, dispensing several tough challenges and moments of gamesmanship that appeared to rile Suarez.
To his credit, the Barcelona forward - who has received bans in his previous two World Cups - passed the test of temperament.
And his goal ensured Uruguay reached the knockout stages for their third consecutive finals.
Playing for pride
The Saudi coach Juan Antonio Pizzi talked of a "feeling of shame" after their 5-0 loss to Russia, with his players accused of freezing on the big occasion.
However, Wednesday's resilient display was in total contrast, and one to be proud of, as they took the game to their more fancied opponents.
They resembled the side that former coach Bert van Marwijk guided through qualification ahead of Australia and a point behind Japan.
Al Hilal midfielder Abdullah Ateef exhibited his range of passing and football intelligence to show why he has been nicknamed the "Saudi Modric" [after Croatia and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric] by his team-mates.
And there were also moments of promise from Fahad Al Muwallad and Mohamed Kanno without there ever quite being enough thrust or accuracy to trouble their South American opponents or deliver a first victory in 12 World Cup matches.
Man of the match - Diego Godin (Uruguay)
The Uruguay captain Diego Godin snuffed out Saudi Arabia's attacking threat to help his team to a second clean sheet of the tournament'Profitable set-pieces' - the stats
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Saudi Arabia have been eliminated at the group stage in four of the five World Cups they have competed in.
They have failed to win any of their 12 World Cup matches, drawing two, and have not scored in nine of those games.
Uruguay have won all four of their World Cup matches against Asian opposition.
This was the eighth 1-0 win at Russia 2018, equalling the total in the entire group stage of the 2014 World Cup.
Uruguay have now kept consecutive clean sheets in the World Cup for the first time since a run of three in 2010.
Luis Suarez's winner for Uruguay was the 25th scored from a set-piece at this tournament from a total of 44 goals (57%).
Suarez became the sixth player to make 100 appearances for his country.
He also became the first Uruguay player to score in three World Cups.
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Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text
Line-ups
Uruguay
1Muslera
4Varela
2Giménez
3Godín
22Cáceres
5SánchezSubstituted forNándezat 82'minutes
15VecinoSubstituted forTorreiraat 59'minutes
6Bentancur
7RodríguezSubstituted forLaxaltat 59'minutes
21Cavani
9Suárez
Substitutes
8Nández
10de Arrascaeta
11Stuani
12Campaña
13G Silva
14Torreira
16Pereira
17Laxalt
18Gómez
19Coates
20Urretaviscaya
23M Silva
Saudi Arabia
22Al Owais
6Al-Burayk
3Os Hawsawi
4Albulayhi
13Al Shahrani
17Al JassamSubstituted forAl-Mogahwiat 44'minutes
14Otayf
9BahebriSubstituted forKannoat 75'minutes
7Al Faraj
18Al Dawsari
19Al Muwallad Al-HarbiSubstituted forAl Sahlawiat 78'minutes
Substitutes
1Al-Mayoof
2Al-Harbi
5Om Hawsawi
8Al Shehri
10Al Sahlawi
11Al-Khaibri
12Kanno
15Al Khaibari
16Al-Mogahwi
20Abu Radeah Aseri
21Al-Mosailem
23M Hawsawi
Referee:
Clément Turpin
Attendance:
42,678
Match Stats
Home TeamUruguayAway TeamSaudi Arabia
Possession
Home47%
Away53%
Shots
Home13
Away8
Shots on Target
Home3
Away2
Corners
Home3
Away4
Fouls
Home10
Away13
Live Text
Posted at
Match ends, Uruguay 1, Saudi Arabia 0.
Full TimePosted at 90'+5'
Second Half ends, Uruguay 1, Saudi Arabia 0.
Posted at 90'+4'
Salem Al Dawsari (Saudi Arabia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 90'+4'
Foul by Luis Suárez (Uruguay).
Posted at 90'+3'
Corner, Uruguay. Conceded by Mohammed Al-Burayk.
Posted at 90'+2'
Foul by Yasir Al Shahrani (Saudi Arabia).
Posted at 90'+2'
Edinson Cavani (Uruguay) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 90'+1'
Attempt missed. Yasir Al Shahrani (Saudi Arabia) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Mohammed Al Sahlawi.
Posted at 90'
Attempt saved. Mohammed Kanno (Saudi Arabia) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Salman Al Faraj with a cross.
Posted at 90'
Corner, Saudi Arabia. Conceded by Lucas Torreira.
Posted at 90'
Attempt blocked. Yasir Al Shahrani (Saudi Arabia) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Salman Al Faraj.
Posted at 89'
Attempt missed. Luis Suárez (Uruguay) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Diego Laxalt.
Posted at 86'
Attempt saved. Edinson Cavani (Uruguay) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
SubstitutionPosted at 82'
Substitution, Uruguay. Nahitan Nández replaces Carlos Sánchez.
Posted at 81'
Foul by Mohammed Kanno (Saudi Arabia).
Posted at 81'
Rodrigo Bentancur (Uruguay) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 80'
Attempt missed. Edinson Cavani (Uruguay) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Lucas Torreira.
Posted at 80'
Attempt missed. Lucas Torreira (Uruguay) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Luis Suárez.
SubstitutionPosted at 78'
Substitution, Saudi Arabia. Mohammed Al Sahlawi replaces Fahad Al Muwallad.
Posted at 77'
Offside, Uruguay. Martín Cáceres tries a through ball, but Diego Godín is caught offside.
Posted at 77'
Attempt blocked. Martín Cáceres (Uruguay) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Carlos Sánchez with a cross.
Posted at 76'
Foul by Yasir Al Shahrani (Saudi Arabia).
Posted at 76'
Carlos Sánchez (Uruguay) wins a free kick on the right wing.
SubstitutionPosted at 75'
Substitution, Saudi Arabia. Mohammed Kanno replaces Hattan Bahebri.
Posted at 69'
Foul by Hussain Al-Mogahwi (Saudi Arabia).
Posted at 69'
Fernando Muslera (Uruguay) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 68'
Attempt missed. Martín Cáceres (Uruguay) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Carlos Sánchez with a cross following a set piece situation.
Posted at 67'
Foul by Salem Al Dawsari (Saudi Arabia).
Posted at 67'
Luis Suárez (Uruguay) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 65'
Fahad Al Muwallad (Saudi Arabia) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 65'
Foul by José Giménez (Uruguay).
Posted at 64'
Foul by Yasir Al Shahrani (Saudi Arabia).
Posted at 64'
Carlos Sánchez (Uruguay) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 64'
Attempt blocked. Luis Suárez (Uruguay) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Guillermo Varela with a headed pass.
Posted at 62'
Attempt missed. Carlos Sánchez (Uruguay) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Edinson Cavani with a cross.
Posted at 62'
Foul by Osama Hawsawi (Saudi Arabia).
Posted at 62'
Luis Suárez (Uruguay) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
SubstitutionPosted at 59'
Substitution, Uruguay. Lucas Torreira replaces Matías Vecino.
SubstitutionPosted at 59'
Substitution, Uruguay. Diego Laxalt replaces Cristian Rodríguez.
Posted at 57'
Foul by Fahad Al Muwallad (Saudi Arabia).
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goal
Source: bbc.com