So we move into another phase of the tournament with two games played simultaneously. The deciisio now is whether to concentrate on one, switch between the two (sure way to miss every goal) or use two devices. I went for the latter.
One of the less interesting groups at this stage with the two qualifiers already known and two already-eliminated sides meeting. Given that Russia and Uruguay will meet Spain or Portugal, but at this stage they don’t know which one the group winners will play, there is little reason for either to bust a gut to win. A draw would do for Russia in any case.
Egypt set a record right from the off by naming El Hadary in goal, the 45-year-old becoming the oldest ever player at a World Cup.
Russia made three changes but fell behind within ten minutes to a Suarez free-kick after a defender bizarrely decided to push aside the rwo attackers in the wall thus creating a huge space. Uruguay went two up thanks to a Kane-esqu deflection. Russia’s lack of decent opposition up to this point now being cruelly highlighted. When Smolnikov got himself stupidly sent off it looked bleak for the hosts.
Dzyuba saw more of the ball in the second half but didn’t look anything like the player he did in the last game and Uruguay predictably had more of the game with the extra man. Right on full-time Cavani made it three from three yards out, ensuring that Uruguay won all three group games for the first time.
In the other game, Mo Salah scored with a nice lob, but missed a bit of a sitter soon after. The Saudis then benefitted from a harsh penalty for inadvertent handball but the old man in goal pulled off a quite brilliant save. Another soft one in stoppage time though allowed them to equalise.
The game pretty much petered out in the second period, right until five seconds past the allotted added time when Saudi Arabia stole a winner.
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