Uruguay took the first place in group A thanks to a 3-0 win over Russia. In Samara, the Uruguayans put themselves in the safe haven in the first half via Luis Suárez and Denis Cheryshev's own goal. Russia stood the entire second half with ten men after Igor Smolnikov received his second yellow card before halftime. In stoppage time, Edinson Cavani set the final score at 3-0, making Uruguay the group winner in the next round of the World Cup against the number two of group B.
Both teams had made the necessary changes to the set-up for the game in Samara, where group wins were at stake. Both Uruguay and Russia had already secured the next round with two victories. The South Americans had an excellent start and were ahead after ten minutes. After a foul on Rodrigo Bentancur, Suárez was allowed to construct from the edge of the penalty area from a free kick.
Russian goalie Igor Akinfeev left the right corner open and the Barcelona striker made grateful use of 1-0. Russia did not leave it after the early opening goal and then created opportunities via Cheryshev and Artem Dzyuba. After 23 minutes of play, Uruguay doubled the margin. A shot by Diego Laxalt was changed by Cheryshev, which put Akinfeev on the wrong foot and saw the ball disappear into the corner.
Even before the break, Russia could forget a good result, after having been faced with ten men. Smolnikov received his second yellow card for a foul on Laxalt and could look up the locker room. Russian coach Stanislav Cherchesov acted immediately by taking Cheryshev aside for defender Mario Fernandes, to prevent Uruguay from setting a monster score. In the final phase of the first half, the Uruguayans appeared dangerous for the Russian goal several times.
In the second half Uruguay took some gas back and let Russia play football. The dozen of Russia was admittedly seen on the half of the opponent, but they did not, if at all, come up with big chances. On the other side Cavani got opportunities on his first World Cup goal, while a hard shot from Cristian Rodríguez Akinfeev still got into trouble. In stopping time Cavani determined the final score from a corner at 3-0.
