ROSTOV-ON-DON, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Uruguay striker Luis Suarez celebrated his 100th appearance for his country with the only goal of the game as his side beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 in their Group A match in Rostov-On-Don.
The win means both Uruguay and Russia, who beat Egypt 3-1 on Tuesday night, have assured their places in the last 16, while Saudi Arabia and Egypt join Morocco (who lost 1-0 to Portugal earlier in the day) in becoming the first teams to be eliminated from this summer's World Cup.
The game got off to a bright start in temperatures of over 30 degrees centigrade in the Rostov Arena with Suarez seeing a volley blocked, before his shot from a narrow angle was deflected wide.
He didn't wait long before celebrating however, tapping home his 52nd goal for his country after Saudi goalkeeper, Mohammed Alowais badly misjudged a corner and came out clutching thin air.
Hatan Bahbri had two good chances to equalize shortly after, but his first shot was tipped over by Muslera, while his second went over the bar.
The Saudi Arabian side had plenty of the ball and caused some nervous moments around the Uruguay area in the first half but lacked the guile to break past an experienced defense and they suffered a major setback after 40 minutes when experienced midfielder Taiseer Aljassam had to leave the pitch with a knee injury and was replaced by Hussain Almoqahwi.
Uruguay took complete control at the start of the second half, although Oscar Tabarez decided to freshen things up before the hour by replacing 'Cebolla' Rodriguez and Matias Vecino with Lucas Torreira and Diego Laxalt.
Carlos Sanchez should have doubled the lead in the 62nd minute, but headed Cavani's pinpoint cross over the bar, while Martin Caceres also headed over following a 69th minute free kick.
Saudi Arabia were creating nothing in attack, but it wasn't until the 78th minute that striker Mohamman Alsahlawi finally got onto the pitch, although it was Cavani who nearly scored at the other end with an acrobatic header that went just wide.
Alowais partly atoned for his error in Suarez's goal wth a late save as Cavani looked to be through on goal, but with his side failing to trouble Muslera at the other end, the final result was never really in doubt.
