Uruguay enter round of 16 after Russia
ROSTOV-ON-DON: Luis Suarez marked his 100th international cap by sending Uruguay into the last 16 of the World Cup with hosts Russia as the striker benefited from some poor goalkeeping that eliminated Saudi Arabia.
Suarez tapped in midway through the first half in the 1-0 win after keeper Mohammed Al-Owais failed to grab the ball on a corner. The goal put Uruguay second in Group A with a maximum six points behind Russia.
Saudi Arabia, who have not won a World Cup game since debut in 1994, have zero points, like Egypt. Depending on the result of their last group game against Russia, Uruguay will take on either Spain, Portugal or Iran, who are still on course in Group B for a place in the quarter-finals.
Suarez’s goal was by no means pretty, but it did the trick.
“All we wanted to do was to win and qualify. Today was another demonstration that it is so difficult to win a game in a World Cup,” said Man-of-theMatch Suarez.
“This World Cup is proving that what matters most is the result, and we’re very proud to have reached the last 16 for the third time in a row.”
At least Suarez, who missed three sitters in Uruguay’s 1-0 opening win against Egypt, was his vintage efficient self with his 52nd international goal though he will not have dismissed fears he was not 100 percent fit.
Saudi Arabia, who suffered a minor scare when an engine on their plane caught fire before landing on Rostov-on-Don on Monday, instead have not found the back of the net in their last four World Cup outings.
The stadium burst into life in the 23rd minute however, when an unmarked Suarez coolly tapped into an empty net from a corner kick after keeper Al-Owais came out but misjudged his jump and couldn’t reach the ball. Suarez has now scored in three consecutive World Cups.