WC2018: Uruguay 3-0 Russia

Edinson Cavani celebrates with team-mate Diego Godin

Uruguay beat 10-man Russia 3-0 in Samara to secure top spot in Group A and end the hosts' perfect start to their home World Cup.

Luis Suarez opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a low free-kick and Denis Cheryshev deflected a Diego Laxalt shot into his own net (23) before Igor Smolnikov was sent off for a second yellow card nine minutes before half-time.

Both sides had already qualified for the last 16 and Edinson Cavani poked home Uruguay's third in injury-time to seal a victory which means his side will now face Portugal in Sochi on Saturday.

 

Meanwhile, after comprehensive wins over Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Russia will face Spain in Moscow next Sunday after Fernando Hierro's side held onto top spot in their group.

 

The opening goal came when Yury Gazinsky fouled Rodrigo Bentancur on the edge of the area and Suarez stroked a low free-kick into the bottom corner beyond the despairing left hand of Igor Akinfeev.

 

Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera denied Cheryshev three minutes after the goal and Artem Dzyuba bounced a header over the bar before Uruguay scored a fortunate second mid-way through the first half.

Dzyuba headed clear Lucas Torreira's corner to the feet of Laxalt on the edge of the area and his shot took a wicked deflection off Cheryshev, completely wrong-footing Akinfeev, and nestling in the corner.

 

On a sweltering afternoon in Samara, Russia's hopes diminished further when Smolnikov was shown a second yellow card in the 36th minute. The full-back, already on a booking for a foul on Cavani, recklessly took down the rampaging Laxalt on the left wing to become the third player sent off at this World Cup.

Dzyuba sliced Russia's best second-half chance wide of the post in the 76th minute and they almost conceded further when Akinfeev was forced to make fine late saves from Giorgian De Arrascaeta and Cristian Rodriguez.

But Cavani did add the third goal in injury-time when Diego Godin's powerful header after an Arrascaeta corner forced another sprawling stop from the Russia goalkeeper and the PSG forward was alert to prod home.