Uruguay defeated Russia in a 3-0 win.
ADVERTISEMENTUruguay topped Group A after defeating the ten-man hosts Russia with two first-half goals and a late third in the second half put them on their way to victory.
Goals from Luis Suarez and an own goal from Denis Cheryshev put Uruguay in a good position in the first half, whilst Igor Smolnikov was given his marching orders for two bookable offences. Edison Cavani scored near stoppage time in the second half.
Luis Suarez caught the Russian defence off guard as he curled in a lowly driven free-kick into the corner of Akinfeev's goal.
Cheryshev who is Russia's top score at this World Cup conceded an own goal, as Laxalt's shot deflected off of him for Uruguay's second.
Igor Smolnikov was shown a second yellow card to add to Russia's misery.
Dzyuba had the chance to score a consolation goal for Russia in the second half but completely fluffed his lines.
It was three as Diego Godin saw his header saved by Akinfee from a corner but Edison Cavani was there on the rebound, to inflict more damage onto the fatigued ten men.
Five takeaways from the match
Superb atmosphere
Despite the defeat, the atmosphere created by both the Uruguayan and Russian supporters was great. The Russians really backed their team until conceding the second goal.
Uruguay show the class at the right time
This was the first real test for either side and the South Americans came out on top in this one. Suarez's goal was smart thinking, along with Laxalt and Cavani's efforts and they could have had a few more.
Sturdy Uruguay
It's a third consecutive clean sheet for Óscar Tabárez's men. This is good reading going into the knockouts and will give them confidence against stronger opposition attacks which is either to be Iran, Spain or Portugal.
Discipline for Russia
Those two yellow cards really cost Russia. A number of yellow cards already handed to the players had some walking on eggshells.
Rodriguez a handful
Edison Cavani and Luis Suarez may be a handful but 32-year-old Cristian Rodriguez looks their next best-attacking outlet. After coming on, he tested Akinfeev a number of times. He could be the man to look to if the other two go missing.