Player ratings as Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin the bedrocks of a stoic Uruguay win over Saudi Arabia

Matt Jones - Editor 20:25 20/06/2018
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  • Uruguay booked their place in the knockout stages of the 2018 World Cup with a stoic and workmanlike 1-0 victory over resurgent Saudi Arabia.

    Luis Suarez, so ineffective as La Celeste scraped a late 1-0 win in their opener against Egypt, leapt into life at the Rostov Arena, converting Carlos Sanchez’s first-half corner into an empty net after Mohammed Al Owais came for the cross through a crowd of bodies and soon regretted his decision.

    Much like in their opening game it was a tense affair against a vastly improved Saudi side, who huffed and puffed but simply didn’t have the quality required to equalise and keep their hopes of progression alive.

    Here, we rate the Uruguay players:

    URUGUAY (4-4-2)

    Fernando Muslera – 6:

    Though Saudi Arabia asked plenty of questions of the Uruguay defence, none were directed at their veteran custodian, who had a very easy afternoon.

    Guillermo Varela – 4:

    Regularly caught out as an improved Saudi showed up. Had difficulty dealing with the marauding Al Shahrani.

    Jose Gimenez – 8:

    What better mentor to learn under than Diego Godin? Completed 100 per cent of his 33 passes in the first half.

    Diego Godin – 8:

    A typical performance from the battle-hardened veteran. Gnawed at Saudi’s attackers and also carried a threat in the attacking third.

    Martin Caceres – 6:

    Has spent the latter part of his career mainly broken. But held a rigid Uruguay back four together while opposite full-back Varela floundered.

    Carlos Sanchez – 7:

    A relentless worker who was always on offer down the right for La Celeste. Provided the assist for Suarez’s opener. Wastfully headed Cavani’s perfect cross over.

    Matias Vecino – 6:

    A true talent but struggled to really assert himself on proceedings. Subbed off with an hour gone as Tabarez shuffed his pack.

    Rodrigo Bentancur – 6:

    Had the most touches of any Uruguay player on the pitch as he continually looked to get attacking team-mates into prime positions.

    Cristian Rodriguez – 6:

    The wily veteran was alert defensively, with two interceptions, and energetic, but pass completion off 55 per cent was woeful. Dispossessed twice.

    Luis Suarez – 7:

    Ineffectual in the Egypt win, he was back to scoring ways, also dragging the Saudi defence this way and that. First Uruguayan to score at three World Cups and netted the crucial goal on his 100th cap.

    Edinson Cavani – 7:

    Balooned an early chance horribly over. Didn’t have much of a sniff of goal after that but held the ball up brilliantly and worked like a dog.

    SUBS:

    Diego Laxalt – 6:

    Finding his way in at international level. Was neat and tidy.

    Lucas Torreira – 7:

    The Arsenal target’s soon to be club boss Unai Emery will be buoyed by the most interceptions of any Uruguayan (three) despite being on the field just 31 minutes.

    Nahitan Nandez N/A

    A late introduction, precious little time to make an impact.

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