Uruguay burnished their World Cup credentials with a 3-0 victory over 10-man Russia on Monday, finishing top of Group A with a perfect record while dampening the hopes of the tournament hosts, who had to settle for second.
Uruguay – 1 Russia – 0 (10th minute)
Russian midfielder Iury Gazinsky fouled Rodrigo Bentancur on the edge of the box. Uruguay were awarded a free-kick for this. Suarez expertly placed the direct free-kick in the gap between the out-stretched glove of Russia’s goalkeeper and the post on 10 minutes
Uruguay – 2 Russia – 0 (23rd minute)
Uruguay doubled their lead when Diego Laxalt’s shot took a wicked deflection off the leg of defender Cheryshev and flew past the despairing Akinfeev on 23 minutes. This goal more or less sealed the victory for Uruguay, even though it was in the first half only.
Uruguay – 3 Russia – 0 (90th minute)
Edison Cavani sealed the win on 90 minutes by tapping home the rebound, after Akinfeev had parried Godin’s header. This was Cavani’s first goal in this year’s tournament after innumerable attempts to the goal.