Uruguay top World Cup Group A, Russia second after 3-0 defeat

Uruguay comfortably beat World Cup hosts Russia 3-0 on Monday to seal top spot in Group A courtesy of a Luis Suarez free kick, a Denis Cheryshev own goal and a late Edinson Cavani strike.

Russia, who had already qualified along with Uruguay for the last 16 after winning their first two games, played much of the match with 10 men after Igor Smolnikov was sent off for two yellow cards after 36 minutes.

Suarez opened the scoring in the 10th minute with his seventh World Cup goal and Uruguay´s lead was doubled in the 23rd minute when Diego Laxalt´s shot took a wicked deflection off Cheryshev.

Cavani, Suarez´s strike partner, sealed the victory to open his World Cup account with a goal from close range after a corner in the 90th minute.SAMARA: Uruguay held a commanding 2-0 halftime lead over World Cup hosts Russia in the battle to top Group A on Monday courtesy of a Luis Suarez free kick and a Denis Cheryshev own goal.

Diego Laxalt´s shot came off Russian winger Cheryshev for the own goal and Russia´s job got all the harder when Igor Smolnikov was sent off for two yellow cards after 36 minutes.

Both sides have already qualified for the last 16 with two wins.