Two early goals saw Uruguay finish top of group A. They inflicted Russia’s first defeat of the World Cup in Samara, winning 3-0 to make it three victories from three.

The hosts Russia tasted their first defeat in the 2018 World Cup.

Uruguay gave an early warning of their intent at the Samara Arena. Edinson Cavani found Matias Vecino, who fired wide from 25 yards. With nine minutes gone, Rodrigo Bentancur was fouled by by Yury Gazinsky on the edge of the area. Suarez stepped up to steer a low free kick into the far corner. Igor Akinfeev failed to get to it as Uruguay secured an early breakthrough.

Russia threatened to hit back swiftly. But after 23 minutes, Uruguay won the corner from which they doubled their lead. Diego Laxalt’s strike, which looked to be off target, cannoned off Cheryshev and bounced past Akinfeev.

Russia were almost three down when Bentancur was denied by Akinfeev. With 36 minutes gone things went from bad to worse. Laxalt was fouled by Smolnikov and the defender was shown a second yellow card.

Russia responded by replacing Cheryshev with Mario as Uruguay reached half-time. As the game meandered towards its final 25 minutes, Cavani blasted wide before VAR was deployed when Dzyuba went down under a Diego Godin challenge. But no penalty was given.

With a quarter of an hour to go, Russia could have pulled one back. Zobin teed up Dzyuba, whose strike was dismal, and an unselfish Suarez cross failed to find a teammate.

Rodriguez then had a curling strike parried before Russia swept to the other end. But Smolov sent his low cross too close to the goalkeeper with two team-mates waiting in the middle.

But Cavani had the final word, prodding home in the last minute after a Godin header had been parried.

FT: Russia 0-3 Uruguay
Suarez 10′ | Cheryshev 23′ | Cavani 90′