Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez has praised the attitude of his side after a 1-0 victory was recorded over Egypt.
The Group A fixture was on course to end goalless until Jose Gimenez netted a last-minute header for Uruguay in Yekaterinburg.
Uruguay now sit level on points with Russia and Tabarez has suggested that the extra two points gained during the closing stages could be the difference between qualification and elimination.
The 71-year-old is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: “To win matches in this group means we will be able to progress. We either die or we kill and the experience today will help us grow, but we can’t make too much of it.
“Sometimes the ball will go to the back of the net, sometimes it won’t but we are always looking to score. I’m very happy with the attitude of the team and how they played.
“Egypt played very well, a very good game, but I imagine with Mo Salah, if he had been in top form Egypt would have benefited with him on the pitch, but we will never know.”
Uruguay face Saudi Arabia in their next fixture, which takes place on Wednesday