Rodrigo Bentancur v Alexander Golovin and more Uruguay v Russia key World Cup battles

Sport360 staff 16:04 24/06/2018
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  • Young talents: Rodrigo Bentancur and Alexander Golovin.

    It is a battle for top spot in Group A when Uruguay and Russia face-off at Samara Arena on Monday (18:00 kick-off) in the World Cup.

    Both teams enter the contest with two wins apiece and last 16 berths already secured.

    The prospect of second round meetings against either Spain, Portugal or Iran lie in wait.

    Ahead of the match, we have summed up the key talking points, here – and in this article, we scrutinise the key battles on display in the south-eastern city of Samara.

    The First Line of Defence

    Sergei Ignashevich v Diego Godin

    At the age of 38, Ignashevich’s weary legs have stood up to the rigours of the World Cup so far but the prospect of facing Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani is a step-up from the futile attacks Saudi and Egypt have had to offer.

    His strong physical presence and reading of the game has certainly brushed under the carpet the fact that aside from Mexico’s Rafael Marquez, he is the second-oldest outfield player at the tournament.

    Spartak Moscow’s Ilya Kutepov has slotted in alongside him with relative ease in what is a new centre-back combination but they have yet to fully dispel the myth that this Russian side have a soft centre.

    Godin, meanwhile, is without his club and international defensive partner Jose Gimenez, who is nursing a thigh injury. With Sebastian Coates to come in, there will be more onus on the talismanic captain to lead by example and potentially ensure a third consecutive defensive shut-out.

    Uruguay's forward Maximiliano Gomez (L) and Uruguay's defender Diego Godin (R) take part in a training session of the Uruguay national football team ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup at the Sport Centre Borsky in Nizhny Novgorod on June 22, 2018. (Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images)

    One of the world’s best centre-backs: Diego Godin.

    The Clash of the Playmakers

    Rodrigo Bentancur v Alexander Golovin

    The 20-year-old Juventus star is the most capable Uruguayan to run with the torch and lead a new generation of talent.

    He has indeed looked a cut above his team-mates thus far, in terms of creativity, and is comfortably the most effective Le Celeste star in possession with a team-high 91.1 per cent pass success rate and has spent more time in possession (84 per cent) then anyone else for his side.

    Bentancur is certainly the beneficiary of a compact and defensively-minded side, where right winger Carlos Sanchez has also played an under-rated role with two assists so far.

    Golovin, 22, will not only face Bentancur in the centre of the pitch, but he is almost identical in the sense he is his country’s new darling and the leading light.

    The CSKA Moscow man is the heartbeat of this side and will be hoping to replicate his haul of two assists and a goal against Saudi Arabia in the opening match, having been pretty quiet in the Egypt contest.

    Golovin is attracting attention from Europe’s big boys.

    The men at the top-end of the pitch

    Artem Dzyuba v Edinson Cavani

    The 6 ft 5 in Zenit Saint Petersburg powerhouse is a monster in the air and is fully deserving of his lone striking role in Stanislav Cherchesov’s 4-2-3-1 system.

    He followed up a goal and assist off the bench against Saudi and then netted Russia’s third in a routine win over Egypt.

    Dzyuba should get the nod over Fyodor Smolov, who has flattered to deceive in his two run-outs so far, with Russia needing to use his physical edge to their advantage.

    Paris Saint-Germain icon Cavani may not have a goal to show for his efforts so far but that should not detract from two performances in which he showed plenty of willing running, stretched defences and has done more of the dirty work, given Luis Suarez is the principle focal point of this team.

    He has averaged 4.5 shots per game in two matches – but did miss two clear-cut chances last time out. Cavani will be hoping he can find his clinical touch on Monday.

    Uruguay's forward Edinson Cavani (R) looks on as he takes part in a training session of the Uruguay national football team ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup at the Sport Centre Borsky in Nizhny Novgorod on June 22, 2018. (Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images)

    Edinson Cavani will be eyeing a goal in the final group game.

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