Uruguay booked their place in the last 16 of the World Cup after a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Rostov-on-Don on Wednesday afternoon
The victory, which also confirms Russia's place in the knockout stage and eliminates both Saudi Arabia and Egypt, was secured through a close-range goal from Luis Suarez (23) on his 100th appearance for his country
Uruguay now need to beat Russia in Samara next Monday to top the group, while Saudi Arabia will head home following their final Group A game against Egypt
Saudi Arabia were humbled 5-0 by Russia in their opening match, but performed much more admirably in Rostov, dominating first-half possession and carving out two early opportunities for Hatan Bahbir, who hit a long-range shot at Fernando Muslera and volleyed wide from close range
But their hard work was undone by some poor marking in the 23rd minute as Suarez became the first Uruguayan to score in three successive World Cup finals with the opening goal
Carlos Sanchez swung in a corner which sailed to the far post where the unmarked Barcelona forward volleyed home with his left foot from the edge of the six-yard box
Both sides appeared to struggle in the Rostov heat for much of the game and Sanchez wasted the first big opportunity of the second half when he headed Edinson Cavani's inswinging cross over the bar
Cavani himself almost inadvertently doubled the lead with 10 minutes to go when substitute Lucas Torreira struck a wild shot from distance which deflected off his face and went narrowly wide of the post
He had an even better chance four minutes before the end when he bullied Ali Al-Bulayhi and forced a smart stop from Mohammed Al-Owais
Saudi Arabia rarely threatened to equalise and while Uruguay's organised football was hardly eye-catching, their veteran boss Oscar Tabarez will care little after securing a passage to the knockout stages on the back of a pair of 1-0 wins
In a game of precious few chances, the central defenders from both sides emerged with the most credit
Osama Hawsawi and Ali Al-Bulayhi saw their copybook blotted by Suarez's sloppy winner, but Godin and Jose Gimenez hardly put a foot wrong in 90 minutes
Atletico Madrid defender Godin showed class throughout, dealing with crosses into the box and executing a precise slide tackle on Hatan Bahbir in the first half
 Tabarez has clearly built this Uruguay side on a solid foundation
Uruguay will play hosts Russia in Samara at 3pm next Monday to determine which side will top the group, while Saudi Arabia will face Egypt at the same time in Volgograd with both eliminated sides looking to pick up their first points of the tournament
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>