Uruguay advance to knockout stage after tough task against KSA

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Uruguay 1-Saudi Arabia 0

Luis Suarez, who played his 100th match with the national team, gives the three points to La Celeste after he scored the only goal at the 23rd minute of the match. Saudi Arabia (0-2-0, 0 points) with the loss is officially eliminated from the World Cup after suffering its second defeat of the tournament.

The match was not easy for Uruguay. Saudi Arabia showed a strong formation complicating and closing spaces for the South American side throughout the game. In addition, they controlled the possession of the ball. However, the team who had the best chances to score was Uruguay.

La Celeste’s coach Oscar Tabarez changed the team’s line up for this match. Christian Rodriguez and Carlos Sanchez started against the Asian team in place of the youngsters Giorgian De Arrascaeta and Nahitan Nandez, who did not perform well during the first match of Los Charruas against Egypt. The experienced players Rodriguez and Sanchez gave the team a better dynamism in midfield, especially in the sides. And even though they created many chances in offense, Edison Cavani and Luis Suarez were not able to increase their lead.

Now Uruguay (2-0-0, 6 points) will close the group A action when they face the home team Russia. Both Russia and Uruguay have now 6 points and are qualified for the knockout round. However, the importance of that match is to determine in what position the teams will advanced. Russia is now on first place with a +8 in goals, whereas Uruguay is second with a +2. These teams will face the first and second place of Group B who are expected to be Spain and Portugal.