Uruguay beats Russia to top group
LUIS Suarez and Edinson Cavani scored a goal each and Uruguay went on to defeat 10-man Russia 3-0 yesterday, finishing undefeated in group play and handing the host nation its first loss of the World Cup.
Both teams were already assured of spots in the knockout round, but Uruguay’s victory put it at the top of Group A and looking toward a match in Sochi on Saturday against the secondplace finisher from Group B, either Spain, Portugal or Iran.
Russia will have the consolation of a day’s extra rest and huge support at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium when it faces the Group B winner on Sunday.
Uruguay, which also benefited from an own-goal in the first half, had its third straight shutout of the tournament after consecutive 1-0 victories over Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
By advancing to the round of 16 with victories over Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Russia secured its best World Cup showing in the post-Soviet era.
In the group’s other match, which kicked off at the same time, the oldest person to play in a World Cup match gave up a pair of goals, allowing Saudi Arabia to beat Egypt 2-1 in Volgograd.
Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, who is 45, took the field for his team’s final group match to set the record.
Salem Aldawsari scored with almost the last kick, shooting from a tight angle inside the Egypt penalty area and poking the ball past El Hadary.
Mohamed Salah put Egypt ahead in the 22nd minute when he deftly controlled a long ball from Abdalla Said that split the Saudi defense and then coolly lobbed goalkeeper Yasser Almosailem.
Egypt still has not recorded a World Cup finals win in three appearances, despite the Liverpool talisman’s superb opener.
Salman Alfaraj got the Saudis level with a penalty kick in first-half stoppage time after Ali Gabr brought down Fahad Almuwallad in the area. The decision was confirmed after a video review.
Saudi Arabia finished Group A in third place with three points, while Egypt was last after losing all three games.
Salah at least had the consolation of scoring Egypt’s first goal from open play at the World Cup since May 27, 1934, when Abdulrahman Fawzi netted in a 4-2 defeat by Hungary.
In Samara, a pinpoint freekick from Barcelona star Suarez and an own goal from Denis Cheryshev put Uruguay 2-0 up inside 23 minutes before Cavani added a late third.
Russia was reduced to 10 men after 36 minutes when right-back Igor Smolnikov was sent off for two yellow cards in a match that will be a reality check for a team that easily won its first two matches.
This is the first time Uruguay has won all three group games at a World Cup finals.