Uruguay and hosts Russia have qualified from Group A of 2018 FIFA World Cup for the next round. Uruguay won all its three matches to top the group while Russia with two victories and a defeat occupy the second spot. In their last group stage meeting, Uruguay defeated Russia 3-0 while Saudi Arabia outplayed Egypt 2-1. Meanwhile, Uruguay will now take on Portugal on June 30 and Spain will meet home side Russia on July 01 in their respective Round of 16 matches. 2018 FIFA World Cup Group A Preview: Schedule Timetable With Match Dates, Venues & Kick-Off Times in IST of Russia, Egypt, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Football WC.

Russia are certainly going to be buoyed by the humongous support they will have at their matches and could lift them up against Saudi Arabia and Egypt, their most likely challengers. Uruguay with the kind of squad they have should find no problems securing the top slot in the points table and it will be left to the other three teams to fight for the scarps.

Egypt received some positive news just before the World Cup with Mohamed Salah declaring himself fit for the tournament. His presence will lift the Egyptian spirit as they battle Russia for the second spot in what is considered by many as the weakest of all the eight groups. If Egypt is able to restrict Russia to a point, the group may very well be decided by margins such a goal difference. Uruguay, under veteran coach Oscar Tabarez, will settle for nothing less than a group win and any side having Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani in their strike force will always dare to believe it. It will not be a surprise if they win all three of their group matches.

2018 FIFA World Cup Group A Points Table

Points Table Updated Till Last Match in the Group. 

Saudi Arabia opens their campaign against Russia in what could easily be the worst match ever played at the finals of a World Cup event. Such is the quality of the two teams that you would fail to name a single player that could generate any buzz. The Green Falcons need to work extremely hard to earn the points, but there is one role which they could play with aplomb-being party poopers. Their opponents have to be wary of dropping points against them. Saudi Arabia’s strategy of playing long balls from the back to bypass the midfield may well suit them against more technically gifted sides like Uruguay. Check 2018 FIFA World Cup Schedule in IST for PDF Download: Fixtures, Groups, Time Table with Matches in Indian Time & Venue Details of Football WC in Russia.This group realistically is a battle between two struggling nations in Russia and Egypt while Uruguay will have their own agenda to do justice to their reputation. If the fans are coming to see fast free-flowing attacking football, then they may come in for disappointment as the sides in this group will be cautious in their approach. But that is the beauty of World Cup football where playing beautiful football does not guarantee you win.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 26, 2018 09:20 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).