Uruguay have topped group A in convincing fashion, securing a vital 3-0 win over hosts Russia to make 3 successive wins in the group stage.
As both sides had already qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament, a win for either side would cement them as outright group winners.
Russia were aiming for their first win against South American opposition for the first time in 30 years, but Uruguay were not in a giving mood as they went into cruise control from the opening whistle.
Uruguay don't push the pace as much, yet ability to stay in control is unmatched in this World Cup. They got the game going with an early goal through Luis Suarez. Gifted a free kick outside the penalty area, Suarez caught Russia off guard with a low, curling effort underneath the wall inside 10 minutes of play.
Once the first goal was scored, the hosts soon began to unravel as Uruguay upped the ante. A long-range effort from a corner cannoned off the leg of Denis Cheryshev to put Uruguay 2-0 up.
The match was practically set shortly thereafter as Igor Smolnikov saw himself earn a red card for a second bookable offence in the first half, which means he will miss Russia's round of 16 match. Uruguay took their foot off the gas and still hardly looked out of place as the game went on.
Russia struggled to impose themselves in the match, giving away needless fouls and not registering a shot at goal for almost an hour of play. Uruguay almost bullied Russia out of the game as the hosts hardly got a look in.
Not to be left out, Edinson Cavani got himself a well-deserved goal by pouncing on a saved header from close range, marking his first World Cup goal of 2018.
It's Russia's biggest defeat at a World Cup, and Uruguay maintain their clean sheet record of over 9 hours of football. A very different showing than their first two games will send the hosts back to the drawing board for the next round as they try to regroup.
Could we see a potential return to glory for the former World Cup winners?
Group B is far from settled, as Spain and Portugal are equal on 4 points, but Iran are right behind on 3 points. This World Cup has shown that anything can happen, Uruguay and Russia will both have to wait for their next opponents to be revealed in the coming hours.
WORLD CUP - GROUP A
Russia - 0
Uruguay - 3 (Suarez 10', Cheryshev (OG) 23', Cavani 90')
Samara Arena, Samara - 41,970
