World Cup 2018 Report: Uruguay 1 - 0 Saudi Arabia
A hapless goalkeeping error from Mohamed Al-Owais meant that Uruguay ran out comfortable one-nil winners over Group A counterparts Saudi Arabia in a rather dull and uninspiring affair in Rostov-on-Don.
Luis Suarez’ strike from close range was enough to seal the deal for Oscar Tabarez’s side as neither team looked especially impressive throughout the ninety minutes on show during Monday afternoon’s clash.
Utilising their 4-4-2 tactical shape that secured the win against Egypt on their opening day assignment, Uruguay began the game slow as Edinson Cavani and co. looked content to grind out a low-scoring win in their second game of the competition.
It was the Uruguayan’s who had the first opportunity as Cavani saw his half-volleyed strike balloon over Al Owais’ bar after Martin Caceres delivered a fantastic a ball from the Uruguayan left-hand side in the 13th minute.
After ten minutes of a relative non-event, Uruguay grabbed the all-important lead in the 23rd minute as Luis Suarez popped up in the right place at the right time as he took full advantage of a goalkeeping howler from Al Owais in the Saudi Arabian six-yard box.
With the Saudi’s appearing to have been rattled somewhat, Cavani could have easily grabbed his first goal of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in the 25th minute but his scuffed effort proved to be an easy take for the Saudi ‘keeper who was keen to write the wrongs of his costly mistakes moments earlier.
In what was their only real opportunity of the game, Saudi Arabia really should have levelled proceedings in the 29th minute. Sensationally, Sultan Bahebri somehow missed a glaring opportunity from just five yards out after an expert ball in from Yasser El-Shahrani found Bahebri free in acres in space in the Uruguayan box.
After that glorious opportunity for the Saudi’s the first half escaped into a bit of a lull as neither side looked especially threatening up top, with Saudi Arabia really lacking any real focal point and physical presence throughout.
The second half began similar enough to how the first-half concluded as both sides looked content to hold onto what they had. While looking attractive to watch, Pizzi’s Saudi Arabian side rarely looked like they could take the game by the scruff its neck as they stared down the barrel of defeat in Rostov.
In the first real opening of the half, Carlos Sanchez probably should have put the result beyond all doubt in the 62nd minute as he fired his free header well over the Saudi’s crossbar after Cavani fed in the Uruguayan wide midfield star with a delightful cross.
The next twenty minutes or so were scrappy as both lacked a real playmaker in the higher areas of the pitch, as substitutions and fouls dictated the rather slow pace of the game in Group A.
In the 80th minute, Saudi Arabia had a close shave as Lucas Torreira’s long range strike almost deflected its way into the back of the Saudi net courtesy of a Cavani deflection late on.
Just minutes later, Cavani had a fantastic opportunity to score his maiden 2018 World Cup goal but he was drowned out by some courageous, and frantic Saudi Arabian defending before his strike rolled into Al Owais’ hand late.
Juan Antonio Pizzi’s side looked to grab an unlikely equaliser late on but it wasn’t to be for the Saudi’s as they saw their World Cup dreams being extinguished by a lacklustre Uruguayan side led by the wily character of Oscar Tabarez.
That result secured Uruguay’s passage into the last 16 of the tournament as they now look forward to a mammoth Group A clash against Russia at the Samara Arena on the 25th of June at 3pm while the Saudi’s will be licking their wounds in their final day dead rubber clash against Egypt at the same time in Volgograd.
Uruguay: Fernando Muslera; Gulliermo Varela, Jose Gimenez, Diego Godin, Martin Caceres; Carlos Sanchez (Nahitan Nanadez, 82), Matias Vecino (Diego Laxalt, 59), Rodrigo Bentacur, Christian Rodriguez (Lucas Torreira, 59); Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez.
Subs not used: Martin Campana, Sebastian Coates, Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Maxi Gomez, Maxi Pereira, Gaston Silva, Christian Stuani, Lucas Torreira, Jonathan Urretaviscaya.
Saudi Arabia: Mohamed Al-Owais; Mohamed Al-Breik, Ali Al-Bulaihi, Salem Al-Dawsari, Yasser Al Shahrani, Osama Hawsawi; Salman Al-Faraj, Taisir Al-Jassim (Houssain Al-Mogahwi, 44), Hattan Bahebri (Mohammed Kanno, 75), Abdullah Otayf; Fahd Al-Muwallad (Mohammed Al-Sahlawi, 77).
Subs not used: Yaseser Al Mosailem, Mansoon Al Harbi, Abdullah Al Khaibari, Abdullah Al-Mayouf, Yayha Al Shehri, Mahunnad Assiri, Motaz Hawsawi, Omar Hawsawi.
Referee: Clement Turpin (France)
Attendance: 42, 678
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Luis Suarez (Uruguay)
