Uruguay 1-0 Saudi Arabia: South American side join Russia in round of 16

Barcelona striker Suarez volleyed home from a corner midway through the first half as Oscar Tabarez's side laboured to a 1-0 win in Rostov-on-Don.

The result means hosts Russia, who also won their two opening Group A games, will join Uruguay in the last 16, while pointless Egypt and Saudi Arabia make an early exit.

Saudi Arabia, thrashed 5-0 by Russia in the opening game of the tournament, were playing South American opposition at a World Cup for the first time.

They started with some promise but fell behind with 23 minutes played following an error from goalkeeper Mohmmed Al Owais.

Al Owais, one of four men brought in by coach Juan Antonio Pizzi following the opening loss to Russia, misjudged an inswinging corner from the left, allowing Suarez a simple finish into the unguarded net.

It was Suarez' 52nd goal for his country as he became the first Uruguayan to score at three World Cups.

Despite taking the lead, Uruguay were far from impressive and goalkeeper Fernando Muslera had to be alert to tip over a dipping effort from Hattan Bahebri.

Suarez threatened with a free-kick which was theatrically repelled by Al Owais early in the second period, before Carlos Sanchez wasted a free header following a fine cross from Edinson Cavani.

Paris St Germain striker Cavani almost doubled the lead with 11 minutes remaining when his attempt to divert home Cristian Rodriguez's speculative effort flashed narrowly wide with Al Owais wrong-footed.

Saudi Arabia collapsed in their opener against the Russians, losing 5-0, but they managed to keep the scoreline respectable here, albeit rarely threatening to snatch an unlikely draw.

Yasser Al-Shahrani attempted to prevent their early exit in stoppage time but his deflected drive from distance was comfortably collected by Muslera.

Uruguay's victory means long-serving coach Tabarez has guided them out of the World Cup group stages in three successive tournaments.

They meet Russia on Monday in Samara to decide who will top the group, while the Green Falcons will take on neighbours Egypt at the same time hoping to score their first goal of the tournament and avoid finishing bottom.

Opta facts

• Uruguay’s 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia means both the hosts Russia and Uruguay have qualified from Group A – they are the first two teams to qualify for the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup.
• Saudi Arabia have now been eliminated at the group stages in four of the five World Cup Finals they have participated in; only making it to the last 16 in 1994 which was their debut in the competition.
• Saudi Arabia have now failed to win any of their previous 12 World Cup matches (D2 L10), failing to score in nine of those games.
• Uruguay have won all four of their World Cup matches against Asian opposition.
• This was the eighth 1-0 win at the 2018 World Cup, equalling the total seen in the whole of the 2014 World Cup group stages.
• Uruguay have now kept back to back clean sheets in the World Cup for the first time since a run of three in 2010.
• Luis Suarez's goal for Uruguay was the 25th scored from a set-piece scenario at this World Cup tournament, from a total of 44 goals (57%). At the 2014 World Cup saw 28.7% of goals from set-pieces.
• Luis Suarez made his 100th appearance for Uruguay today versus Saudi Arabia, becoming the sixth Uruguayan to reach this landmark.
• Luis Suarez has become the first Uruguayan player to score in 3 different editions of the World Cup (2010, 2014 & 2018).
• Luis Suarez has been directly involved in eight of Uruguay's last 15 World Cup goals (six goals, two assists).
• 79% of games at this year's World Cup have been decided by one clear goal or less (15 out of 19), currently the highest ratio in any edition of the tournament.

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