The other game in this group between Egypt and Saudi Arabia finished 2-1 to the Saudis as they finished in third on three points with the Egyptians bottom on zero points. That's all for now. We will be back in two hours time with Group B action as Iran face Portugal in Saransk whilst Spain face Morocco in Kaliningrad. Join my colleagues Jakub Bobro for live coverage of Spain-Morocco here while Oliver Emmerson will be covering the action from Iran-Portugal here. My name is John Lupo. Good day!
FT Russia will surely be disappointed at this result as they had a chance to finish top of a World Cup group for the first time ever. However, they will head to the knockout stages, a place no one thought they would reach. With a few days to rest and their regular starting lineup intact for their first knockout stage game Saturday against the Group B winner in Moscow (an advantage that can't be undervalued), it's not out of the realm of possibility they advance.
FT We have reached the end of the game and Uruguay will have to feel pleased as they head to the knockout stages on the back of a terrific performance. Cavani and Suarez both got on the scoresheet and Oscar Tabarez will feel good as his side travel to Sochi on Sunday for their opening knockout stage game against the Group B runner-up.
90'4+ Smolov with what is likely Russia's final chance of the game as he drives his free kick straight at Muslera. That pretty much sums up the hosts' day.
90+4' Uruguay make their final change as Cavani gets a curtain call after his 43rd international goal, Gomez coming on in his stead.
90' GOAL! Cavani finally gets his goal off of a corner as Godin's initial header is saved by Akinfeev, but he is there to fire in the rebound!
90' Uruguay looking to finish the game in style as Rodriguez' bender is well-saved by Akinfeev. He has been very good today.
90' There will be four minutes of stoppage time to conclude the game.
86' Smolov with a brilliant bit of play into the Uruguay penalty area, but his cutback is not good enough and his shot is easily handled by Muslera. You could argue he should have passed.
84' Good corner sent in, but Caceres is unable to latch on to the end of it.
80' Uruguay are content to try and keep possession and see the game out. As I say this, Rodriguez knuckles a shot at Akinfeev and the Russian keeper palms it away with two hands.
74' Dzuyba finally gets a quality chance, but his effort is nowhere near. Disappointing really.
73' Uruguay will make their second substitution as Rodriguez replaces Nandez.
69' Cavani cuts across the face of goal, takes a good first touch but screws his shot horribly wide. He's visibly upset with himself.
67' Russia have had more of the possession this half, but have had trouble getting Dzyuba any clear-cut chances. Understandable when playing with ten men.
63' Uruguay will make their first substitution as De Arrascaeta replaces the lively Betancur.
62' Zobnin tries to play Dzyuba in, but he is held up much to the objection of the Russian bench.
60' Russia elect to make their second change as Smolov replaces Al Miranchuk.
59' Uruguay win a corner as Betancur's shot is blocked by Zobnin.
56' Uruguay turn the ball over and a neat bit of play get Russia into the bo, but Mario Fernandes makes one too many passes and the threat is averted.
54' Not much action as Russia waste a free kick as the only semblance of chances to start the second half.
45' Uruguay kick us off and the second half is underway.
HT We have reached halftime as Uruguay enjoy a two goal lead and a man advantage. They sprung to life after a low start and are poised to finish top of the group. Russia couldn't make their early pressure pay off and paid the price. Nevertheless, they are safely into the Round of 16 as they try to chase the game. We will return shortly with the second half.
45' There will be two minutes of stoppage time.
42' The game has settled down as we approach halftime.
38' Russia makes their first substitution as Mario Fernandes replaces Cheryshev.
36' Disaster for the hosts now as they are reduced to ten men with Smolnikov, on his World Cup debut, picks up his second yellow card and is sent off.
34' The second Uruguay goal has been changed from Laxalt to an own goal by Cheryshev.
30' Uruguay are on the front foot now as Akinfeev makes a pair of finne saves to prevent a third.
27' Both teams made four changes to their starting eleven, so the element of unpredictability would always factor into this game. Additionally, Uruguay changed their formation.
23' GOAL! Uruguay extends their lead as Laxalt's shot is deflected in by Cheryshev. His first mistake of the World Cup gives the South Americans a two goal lead.
18' What a chance! Cheryshev's corner finds his intended target, but Dzumbya heads just a bit too high. A chance to equalize gone by the boards.
17' Dzumbya and Cheryshev are linking up well as the former slots the latter down the left, Uruguay's defense scrambling the ball away for a corner.
14' The corner is a poor one as it's hit straight at Muslera. He'll be thankful for that break in attack.
12' Cheryshev is now causing problems for the Uruguay defense. His free kick is cleared away, but he gets another chance on the next attack and Muslera does well to save before his defense puts the ball out of play, conceding a corner.
10' GOAL! Suarez gives the South Americans the lead on the ensuing free kick as slots the ball on the right under the wall past Akinfeev!
9' Suarez barrels down the left hand side and flicks the ball to Betancur, but the play is called back as Cavani was offsides. A free kick is awarded as Russia commits a foul near the edge of the area.
8' Cheryshev leads the Russian counterattack down the left before the Uruguay defense knocks the ball out of play.
6' This is the ninth all-time meeting between Russia and Uruguay with the hosts having won six, losing one and drawing one. Those results include when the Russians were known as the Soviet union.
4' The other game in this group is between already eliminated Saudi Arabia and Egypt as both teams look to finish their World Cup campaigns on a high note in Volgograd. You can follow that match with my colleague Maxwell Hogg here
2' Vecino with the first shot of the game and a speculative effort at that.
1' Russia can finish top of the group for the first time in their history with a win or a draw.
1' Russia kicks us off and we are underway.
Russia XI: Akfineev, Kudriashov, Ignashevich, Kupetov, Smolnikov, Gazinskii, Al Miranchuk, Zobnin, Samedov, Dzuyba
Uruguay XI: Muslera, Coates, Godin, Caceres, Nandez, Vecino, Torreira, Betancur, Lexalt, Suarez, Cavani
Good morning and welcome to the final day of play in Group A where, starting with today's matches, all games will kick off simultaneously. We will have team news shortly.
Both Uruguay and Russia are likely to face a tough game in the last 16, as they’ll play first or second from Group B, which look likely to be Portugal and Spain. Those two are level on points and goal difference heading into their final game later this evening, but Spain are tipped by the bookmakers to finish top as they face fourth placed Morocco whilst Portugal come up against third placed Iran. Topping this group therefore seems to be the better option for Uruguay or Russia. Given the goal difference that Russia hold, it’d take Uruguay claiming all three points this evening for the hosts to be dislodged from top spot.
Uruguay’s victories have been much less impressive than Russia’s, in all honesty. Egypt held them until the 90th minute in their opener, where Jose Giminez powered in a stoppage time header. Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani were licking their lips at facing a wounded Saudi Arabia side after they’d been dispatched by Russia, but Suarez was the only one to get on the scoresheet in a 1-0 win.
This Russia side have exceeded all expectations after being dubbed the worst team in the country’s history, scoring eight goals and conceding just once in their first two games. A 5-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, accompanied by Robbie Williams producing banger after banger, got their tournament off to the best possible start. After that, qualification was within their grasp against an Egypt side featuring a half-fit Mohamed Salah, whose penalty wasn’t enough to stop a Russian win, the hosts triumphing 3-1 to book their spot in the last 16 stage.
With each side having won two from two, both have already assured their place in the last 16, meaning today is all about deciding who tops the group and who comes in second.
Good afternoon everyone, and welcome to VAVEL UK’s live minute-by-minute commentary of this afternoon’s World Cup clash between Uruguay and Russia! We’re shifting towards the business end of the tournament as Matchday 3 begins, groups winding to a close as we start to fill out our last 16 line-up. Kick-off in this Group A fixture is set for 3PM UK time, but stick with us – Oliver Emmerson and John Lupo – until then as we build up to the match and get that all important team news.