Group A kicked off the final group stage matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Uruguay and Russia were playing for seeding, as they had already clinched their spots in the knockout rounds. Saudi Arabia and Egypt were simply playing for their own honor.
Uruguay
Coming into today’s match, Uruguay and Russia had already wrapped up their spots in the knockout rounds. With both teams tied with six points, the match would decide the winner of Group A.
Two goals.
Then Cavai 1 v 1 in 28th saved and cleared by defender in front of goal
Russia Red Card
First Half
Uruguay came out strong against the hosts, who had blown out their first two opponents of the tournament.
Rodrigo Bentancur was fouled just outside of the box, which resulted in a yellow card for Yuri Gazinskiy and a free kick just left of center of the goal. Luis Suarez sent a low, right-footed strike out of the reach of Russian keeper Igor Akinfeev, giving Uruguay the lead in the 10th minute.
Things continued to roll downhill for Russia from there.
A shot taken by Diego Laxalt from outside of the box took a deflection from Denis Cheryshev and out of the reach of a diving Akinfeev. Credited as an own goal, Uruguay were now up 2-0.
Igor Smolnikov, who was making his first World Cup appearance, was shown yellow for a rough foul on the 28th minute. Then on the 36th minute, Smolnikov took down Laxalt, earning his second yellow card in eight minutes. Russia, already down 2-0, would have to move forward with 10 men.
Second Half
The second half had very little to show for itself. Russia struggled to maintain possession. When they did, nothing would precipitate. Being a man down stretched the field out for Russia and left very little
Uruguay kept safe possession without making overly-aggressive moves towards the offensive end.
The final blow came in the final minutes, with Edinson Cavani sealing the deal for Uruguay.
With the victory, Uruguay jumped to the top of Group A.
Saudi Arabia
After two matches, Saudi Arabia and Egypt found themselves out of the World Cup. This match was merely for pride and a chance to get their first points of the tournament.
First Half
The first 20 minutes showed even possession but it was Saudi Arabia creating the early shot generation. They put three attempts together but none of them on goal.
However, it was Egypt who struck first. A great through ball by Abdallah El Said found Mohamed Salah on a fast break. Through two defenders, Salah was able to put some pace off the ball and then lobbed the ball over Saudi Arabia keeper Yasser Al-Mosailem.
In the 41st minute, Saudi Arabia were given the opportunity to equalize as Ahmed Fathy committed a handball in the box. Fahad Al Muwallad’s attempt was rejected by 45-year old keeper Essam El-Hadary, the oldest player all-time to take the pitch in the World Cup.
To the dismay of Egyptian fans, El Hadary’s, Ali Gabr took down Al Muwallad to concede yet another penalty to Saudi Arabia.
This time Salman Al Faraj made sure to convert the attempt and even things up.
Second Half
El-Hadary had his work cut out for him in the second half, as Egypt attempted to maintain the score.
In the 69th minute, Hussain Al-Mogahwi put a header on goal that needed quick attention by Egypt’s keeper. Saudi Arabia put yet another header on goal a minute later, courtesy of Mohannad Aseri. Another save by El-Hadary kept the score even.
Late in the game, Saudi Arabia received the chance to stun Egypt and walk away with three points.
Mohammed Al-Burayk sent a low cross into the box from the right flank, which was chipped by Abdullah Otayf and struck on a one-timer by Salem Al Dawsari.
With the results, Uruguay will take on Portugal (Group B Runner-Up) and Russia will take on Spain (Group B Winner). Saudi Arabia finished the tournament with three points and Egypt with zero, both failing to get past the group stage.