Uruguay finish top of World Cup Group A

By Mark Langdon 5:29PM 25 JUN 2018

Uruguay beat World Cup hosts Russia 3-0 to finish top of Group A and in the process land a gamble as the sectional favourites justified their tag as market leaders.

The South Americans needed to win to overhaul Russia and did it in fine style with Luis Suarez opening the scoring after ten minutes.

Denis Cheryshev's own goal doubled Uruguay's advantage and they were facing ten men for the majority of the match following Igor Smolnikov's red card.

Edinson Cavani completed the romp with Uruguay booking top spot in Group A with a perfect record of three wins and no goals conceded.

Oscar Tabarez's side had been 11-8 to claim Group A honours after the draw in December, but that was cut into odds-on across the board and a best-priced 10-11 by the big kick-off as punters latched on to Russia's perceived weakness as well as Egyptian Mohamed Salah's possible absence due to a shoulder injury.

The Uruguay-Russia straight forecast obliged at 2-1 with the dual forecast landing at 3-4 but there was a shock in the rock-bottom betting with 2-5 Saudi Arabia leapfrogging 100-30 shots Egypt in the final moments of their clash.

Salah opened the scoring for Egypt but Saudi Arabia drew level just before half-time thanks to Salman Al-Faraj's penalty.

Fahad Al-Muwallad had earlier missed from the spot for the Saudi's, yet they were not to be denied with Salem Al-Dawsari claiming a surprise 2-1 success just before the full-time whistle.