Uruguay and hosts Russia are the first teams to qualify for the round of 16 in the World Cup following Uruguay’s 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia. Luis Suarez marked his 100th Uruguay cap with a typical poacher’s finish in the 23rd minute when he converted Carlos Sanchez’s corner into a vacant net with Mohammed Al-Owais left ruing his decision to try and catch the cross.
Uruguay face Russia on Monday in the final game of Group A which will determine who qualifies as group winners:
1. Luis Suarez makes up for lacklustre performance
After failing to score against Egypt in Uruguay’s opening game, Suarez looked much fresher and opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. He positioned himself well in the box and made the most of Al-Owais’ failed catch to score his 52nd, and perhaps simplest, goal.
2. Saudi Arabia avoid becoming worst ever World Cup team
When Russia easily put five past Saudi Arabia in the opening game of the tournament, there was great anticipation that Suarez and Mohamed Salah could run riot against the group’s whipping boys. South Korea’s 1954 team lost their two group games and conceded a record 16 goals, and the Green Falcons looked like they could eclipse that record after their poor start, but an improved performance against Uruguay suggests they will avoid the unwanted title of worst ever World Cup team.
3. Uruguay exposed in midfield
In tournaments gone by Uruguay’s midfield were as robust as they come, very little would get past it. A new wave of more technically gifted individuals has seen a shift away from their strong tackling and ruthless core, which was exposed as being a little soft against Saudi Arabia. Rodrigo Bentancur, 20, and Matias Vecino, 26, started in the middle of the midfield in a 4-4-2 system which allowed Saudi Arabia to easily play through the lines.
4. Is Oscar Tabarez Diego Simeone in disguise?
Playing 4-4-2 with Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez in defence is a page taken straight out of Atletico Madrid manager Digeo Simone’s book. Watching Uruguay is just like seeing the Europa League Champions in action. They sit tight, give very little away and take their chances, it’s not easy on the eye but it is very effective.