Uruguay Finish As Group A Winners, Hosts Russia As Runners-up

Uruguay beat hosts Russia 3-0 thanks to goals from forward duo Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, alongside an own goal from Denis Cheryshev, to finish as Group A winners.

Uruguay beat hosts Russia 3-0 thanks to goals from forward duo Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani

Suarez opened the scoring in the tenth minute, curling in a free-kick from just outside Russia’s penalty area to score his seventh World Cup finals goal, surpassing Diego Forlan in second place all-time for Uruguay. 

La Celeste’s lead was then doubled when Cheryshev scored the sixth own goal at Russia 2018, equalling the record for a single World Cup (1998), after Diego Laxalt’s shot took a heavy deflection.

Things went from bad to worse for the hosts when defender Igor Smolnikov was given his marching orders in the 36th minute after receiving two yellow cards.

Attacking changes at the break from Russia head coach Stanislav Cherchesov brought goalscoring opportunities but they could not breach 100-cap Fernando Muslera's goal. Cavani had the final say of the evening when he pounced on an Akinfeev parry following captain Diego Godin's header. Cavani equalled team-mate Suarez's record by scoring at three different World Cups (2010, 2014 and 2018).

Final Score: 

Uruguay 3-0 Russia

Man of the Match

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez was awarded the man of the match. His clinical free-kick early in the match helped set Uruguay on their way to becoming Group A winners.

Next

Uruguay v 2B, 30 June, Sochi, Fisht Stadium

1B v Russia, 1 July, Moscow, Luzhniki Stadium

FIFA