Luis Suarez converted a free-kick from just outside the area to give Uruguay the lead in the 10th minute, they doubled their advantage when Diego Laxalt's strike was deflected in by Denis Cheryshev on 23 minutes and things went from bad to worse for Russia when Igor Smolnikov received a second yellow before the break. Hosts pushed for a goal in the second half but Edinson Cavani made it 3-0 with a close-range finish late on.
Luis Suarez brought the host nation back down to earth with a bump in the city upon which the Russian space programme was forged.
Conjuring images of the James Bond villain Jaws eating through cosmic cables in Moonraker, his curling free-kick launched Uruguay launched into the last-16 as Group A winners.
Suarez ended both of his last two World Cup appearances in disgrace with a deliberate handball in South Africa and sinking his teeth into Giorgio Chiellini in Brazil.
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez wheels away to celebrate after opening the scoring against Russia on Monday afternoon
The Barcelona star slides on his knees and punches the air after giving his country the lead against the World Cup hosts
Suarez stepped up to score a free-kick, bending the ball into the bottom corner of the net from just outside the penalty area
Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev dives to his left but can't prevent Suarez's precise effort from finding the back of the net
Players from both sides watch on as Suarez's strike beats Akinfeev in the 10th minute of the match at Samara Arena
The former Liverpool favourite is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring his second goal of the World Cup group stage
MATCH FACTS
URUGUAY: Muslera 6.5; Caceres 6, Coates 6, Godin 7, Laxalt 7.5; Nandez 7 (Rodriguez 73, 6.5), Torreira 8, Vecino 6.5; Bentancur 7 (De Arrascaeta 63min, 6); Suarez 7, Cavani 7 (Gomez 90)
Subs not used: Campana, Varela, Sanchez, Stuani, Gaston Silva, Maxi Pereira, Urreta, Martin Silva
Manager: Oscar Tabarez 7
Booked: Bentancur
Goals: Suarez 10, Cheryshev (OG) 23, Cavani 90
RUSSIA: Akinfeev 6; Smolnikov 4, Kutepov 5, Ignashevich 5, Kudriashov 6; Gazinsky 5, Zobnin 6; Samedov 5, Miranchuk 5 (Smolov 60, 6), Cheryshev 6 (Fernandes 38, 6.5); Dzyuba 6
Subs not used: Lunev, Semenov, Kuzyaev, Granat, Anton Miranchuk, Golovin, Zhirkov, Erokhin, Gabulov
Booked: Gazinsky, Smolnikov
Sent off: Smolnikov
Manager: Stanislav Cherchesov 6
Referee: Malang Diedhiou (Senegal) 6
Attendance: 41,970
0 comments:
Post a Comment