If the World Cup couldn’t have begun any better for host nation Russia, by the 36th minute versus Uruguay their final group A encounter couldn’t really have been much worse. At 2-0 down thanks to a Luis Suarez free-kick and a Denis Cheryshev own goal, right-back Igor Smolnikov was sent off after receiving a second yellow card as things weren’t looking good by half-time.
Uruguay had been picked out as potential dark horses to spring a surprise in the tournament but had not shown their full potential in two 1-0 wins over Egypt and Saudi Arabia, meanwhile Russia had scored eight versus the same opposition in their first duo of games. What follows is a look at three things we learned from a match that saw the South American team advance to the knockout rounds as group winners following their comprehensive 3-0 victory over the hosts.
Not all defences are created equal
While lowest-ranked side Russia – buoyed by their home advantage – had a field day versus the backlines of their other group A opponents, they soon found that their final match wouldn’t be the same at all. Up against the centre-back pairing of Atletico Madrid’s Diego Godin and Sebastian Coates of Sporting, the previously free-scoring Russia barely had a shot towards goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. Such organisation bodes well for when Godin’s usual partner and Atleti team-mate Jose Gimenez will surely return to the starting XI for the next match.
Godin would also provide the towering header that was saved by Igor Akinfeev, followed in by Edinson Cavani for the third goal, proving that the talented defender also provides a threat from set-pieces. Of course, the task was made more difficult for Russia following the sending off, however after having faced better quality opposition in this fixture, their fate will surely be sealed in the round of 16 versus a likely opponent of Spain or Portugal.
Uruguay more dynamic with changed midfield
An all Serie A midfield started for Uruguay with Arsenal-linked Sampdoria man Lucas Torreira, Matias Vecino of Inter and 21-year-old Juventus star Rodrigo Bentancur all handed a place in Oscar Tabarez’s changed 4-1-2-1-2. This formation saw a significant change from a 4-4-2 in the previous match with Saudi Arabia, with Torreira having been brought on as a substitute along with Genoa’s Diego Laxalt.
Vecino would complete an impressive 58 of his 63 passes, Torreira 53 from 56, while Bentancur having completed 23 from 30, the latter having been substituted on 63 minutes. It was the first time ever that the South Americans had won all of their three group stages matches and will provide a keen test for whoever they will face next.
Laxalt provides a different option
Just like in his domestic role, Laxalt looked good for La Celeste in his first start, his strike forcing the deflection from Cheryshev for the goal. From that left hand side, the 25-year-old was able to play dangerous balls in to both Cavani and Suarez, while also winning the ball back and playing it in to the revamped midfield of Torreira, Vecino and Bentancur.
