China Daily Global Edition (USA)
SUAREZ SEIZING SECOND CHANCE Uruguay’s mercurial star on best behavior following controversy-marred appearances in previous finals
Luis Suarez finally got rattled at this year’s World Cup. On the podium at the post-match news conference following Uruguay’s 3-0 victory over Russia, Suarez was asked him why he often wore a sad expression.
Suarez tossed aside his translation headphones, then smiled broadly in defiance and finally said: “What a waste of time. Next question, please.”
Other than that little incident, Suarez has been unflappable in Russia, scoring twice as Uruguay swept through the group stage with three straight victories, sending the two-time champion to the knockout round for the third straight World Cup.
A late Edinson Cavani strike completed the scoring against the host nation, which dropped its first match of the tournament.
Both teams were already assured of spots in the knockout round, but Uruguay’s victory put it atop Group A and looking toward a match against Portugal on Saturday in Sochi.
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.
The Uruguayans and goalkeeper Fernando Muslera have not allowed a goal in any of the team’s six matches this year.
“After winning the first two matches 1-0, our goal was to get another,” Suarez said. “We wanted to play the same we had before, only better.”
By advancing to the last 16 with wins over Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Russia secured its best World Cup showing in the post-Soviet era. But Uruguay, ranked 14th in the world, posed a far greater challenge.
Suarez scored with a low shot from just outside the box that sailed past the wall of Russian players and into the right corner of the net. The Barcelona striker then blew a kiss to his country’s fans.
The 31-year-old former Liverpool and Ajax forward is Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer with 53 international goals in 101 appearances, including a goal against the Saudis last Wednesday.
But his two past World Cups have been marked by controversy: He was sent home from Brazil four years ago for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini. In 2010, he used his hands to block Dominic Adiyiah’s header and then celebrated wildly when Ghana missed the resulting penalty. Uruguay prevailed in a shootout, but Suarez’ reputation had been sullied.
Uruguay’s second goal had more than a touch of fortune about it. Midfielder Diego Laxalt’s long-range shot deflected off Russian winger Denis Cheryshev’s foot and past goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev — the sixth own-goal of the tournament.
Russia, the lowest ranked team left in the tournament at No 70, went down to 10 men after rightback Igor Smolnikov received a second yellow card in the 36th minute. Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov immediately replaced Cheryshev with defender Mario Fernandes.
Cavani netted in the 90th minute and was promptly withdrawn. The Paris SaintGermain forward fired a rebound into the left corner after Diego Godin’s header was parried by Akinfeev.
“It’s important for strikers to score,” Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said. “When they feel comfortable or at home, they score goals. Strikers contribute a lot to a team.
“We know as we improve our game we will offer opportunities to all of our players to improve their game.”
Uruguay is making its 12th appearance at a World Cup, which it won in 1930 and 1950. More recently, the team finished fourth in South Africa in 2010 and made the last 16 in Brazil four years ago.
“It’s clear that they have top-notch players, while we have very good players, too,” Cherchesov said.
“I like how my team played after we lost one player. We were rather aggressive.”
Spain secured the vital draw thanks to a flick of the heel from Iago Aspas in stoppage time, a goal that was given the green light by the video assistant referee (VAR), who had also ridden to the Spaniards’ rescue by ruling out an Iran goal in their 1-0 win.
Coach Fernando Hierro, who replaced Lopetegui two days before Spain’s opening draw with Portugal after the latter angered Spanish soccer chiefs by agreeing to take the reins at Real Madrid, could barely believe his luck when he charged on to the pitch at fulltime, waving one finger to signal to his players that they had sneaked into first place.
Instead of the grueling battle against Uruguay that would have awaited it in the last 16, Spain will now play Russia, the lowestranked team in the tournament.
If it overcomes the host, it is likely to avoid fellow tournament heavyweights such as Brazil or France until the final.
Hierro and Isco both admitted the performance against Morocco “is not the way forward”.
“Obviously we can improve. Five goals in three matches is not the way forward,” Hierro said.
“The players are professional, they understand what the situation is.
“You cannot hold individuals responsible for letting goals in. Everyone needs to defend as a team and that’s our style.”
For now, Spain looks to have escaped the harsh consequences of its error-strewn displays in Russia, where it has rarely looked like the dominant, exciting side that swept through qualifying under Lopetegui.
Should it overcome Russia, a potential quarterfinal awaits against a mightily impressive Croatia, spearheaded by Spanish league stars Luka Modric, of Real Madrid, and Ivan Rakitic, of Barcelona.
That could potentially be the best gauge of the true effect of Lopetegui’s hasty dismissal.