Five things we learned: Uruguay 3-0 Russia
Uruguay's front men hitting form and their defence is hitting milestones. Five things we learned from their 3-0 win over Russia.
RUSSIA STRUGGLE AGAINST A TEAM WITH CLASS
Having started their own World Cup like an express train, Russia were woefully out of sorts here and soundly beaten by Uruguay.
While a defeat at this stage, having already qualified for the last 16, isn't terrible in itself, the worry for the hosts will be that this was their first test of real note.
And they failed badly.
Russia made changes and suffered a red card during the match, but they were already well behind before the red card and never looked close to matching Uruguay's level.
URUGUAY DISCOVER THEY'RE BETTER WHEN ATTACKING
A frustrating 90 minutes of action saw Uruguay beat Saudi Arabia in thoroughly unimpressive fashion.
Here, however, they were better from start to finish - largely because they opted to attack relentlessly.
Uruguay have the talent and quality in the final third, and they're much better off looking to utilise it more often rather than sitting in and absorbing pressure relentlessly.
RUSSIA LACK DRIVE WITHOUT GOLOVIN
Among Russia's notable changes was a key absentee in the midfield line, with Aleksandr Golovin left out so as to avoid suspension.
Without him - and injured Alan Dzagoev, it should be noted - there was simply no presence and no drive from deep for Russia, no link-up with the front men and thus little goal threat.
Golovin's return in the knock-out stage will be vital if the hosts are to continue their run.
CAVANI AND SUAREZ FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS
While Russia misfired, Uruguay's front two look to be finding top form just as their side are ready to hit the knock-outs.
Edinson Cavani has been in good form throughout, but hadn't scored; he altered that statistic against Russia to wrap up the 3-0 result.
Suarez meanwhile fired in a brilliant free-kick to join the ranks of players who have netted twice at the World Cup.
Together they are a prolific duo who will cause problems to any defence in the latter stages of the World Cup.
URUGUAY'S DEFENCE HITTING MILESTONES
The front men deserve praise, but so too do those at the back for Uruguay.
Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera won his 100th cap, a magnificent milestone to reach during the World Cup finals, but he also kept his third clean sheet in three games.
Uruguay are the first side to win all three of their group games without conceding a single goal since Argentina, back in 1998.