• ​Uruguay finish as Group A winners, hosts Russia as runners-up
• Suarez surpasses Forlan in Uruguay’s World Cup goalscoring list

Uruguay beat hosts Russia 3-0 thanks to goals from forward duo Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, alongside an own goal from Denis Cheryshev, to finish as Group A winners.

Suarez opened the scoring in the tenth minute, curling in a free-kick from just outside Russia’s penalty area to score his seventh World Cup finals goal, surpassing Diego Forlan in second place all-time for Uruguay. La Celeste’s lead was then doubled when Cheryshev scored the sixth own goal at Russia 2018, equalling the record for a single World Cup (1998), after Diego Laxalt’s shot took a heavy deflection.

Things went from bad to worse for the hosts when defender Igor Smolnikov was given his marching orders in the 36th minute after receiving two yellow cards.

Attacking changes at the break from Russia head coach Stanislav Cherchesov brought goalscoring opportunities but they could not breach 100-cap Fernando Muslera’s goal. Cavani had the final say of the evening when he pounced on an Akinfeev parry following captain Diego Godin’s header. Cavani equalled team-mate Suarez’s record by scoring at three different World Cups (2010, 2014 and 2018).

Team reporter analysis

Florencia Simoes with Uruguay [Follow: Twitter]
This was definitely Uruguay’s most complete match of Russia 2018. They brought intensity to play, generated good goalscoring chances, were solid in defence and scored two goals to bring a calmness to the team. In the second half, things changed and the match was more even as Uruguay allowed Russia more time on the ball. The most important thing is that the result is very positive, Uruguay showed a different side to their previous performances and qualified in the first position of Group A.​

Igor Borunov with Russia [Follow: Twitter]
Russia had to face a different level of opponent this time; an opponent with skill and experience at major tournaments. Everything went wrong for the host team. Uruguay punished their very first mistake but there was more. Luck was also not on Russia’s side when a deflection off Cheryshev’s leg led to another goal. Smolnikov’s sending off in the first half ultimately made their mission almost impossible. Russia fought bravely to the final whistle and got the experience of a tough game that could possibly help them to prepare for the round of 16.​

Budweiser Man of the Match
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez was awarded the man of the match. His clinical free-kick early in the match helped set Uruguay on their way to becoming Group A winners.

The stat
0 – Uruguay did not concede a single goal during the Russia 2018 group stage. This is the fifth World Cup that La Celeste finish the group stage with ‘0’ in the goals conceded column, but it is the second time with the group stage including three matches (South Africa 2010).

What’s next
Uruguay v 2B, 30 June, Sochi, Fisht Stadium
1B v Russia, 1 July, Moscow, Luzhniki Stadium

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