MOSCOW — Uruguay and host nation Russia progressed to the World Cup knockout rounds Wednesday as Cristiano Ronaldo took an early lead in the race for the Golden Boot.

A single goal from Luis Suarez was enough to give Uruguay victory against Saudi Arabia, leaving them on six points along with Russia and condemning Egypt and the Saudis to an early exit.

Russia and Uruguay will face one of the top two from Group B in the last 16 — either Portugal, Spain or Iran.

Suarez took advantage of a goalkeeping error by Mohammed Al-Owais in Rostov-on-Don to put his side ahead midway through the first half and the Saudis could not respond.

Barcelona forward Suarez has exited the last two World Cups in disgrace after being sent off for a goalline handball against Ghana in 2010, and he infamously sank his teeth into Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in 2014.

Oscar Tabarez's side missed plenty of opportunities to add further goals.

Uruguay, semifinalist eight years ago in South Africa, has now reached the knockout stage for the third straight time, while Saudi Arabia will try again in its search for a first World Cup win since 1994 in its final game against Mohamed Salah's Egypt.

Suarez made a bright start, looking to make amends for his poor performance in the opening 1-0 win against Egypt, firing a left-footed volley from Cristian Rodriguez's knockdown which was blocked by Ali Al-Bulayhi.

The Saudis managed to have plenty of early possession, although without looking overly threatening, only to gift Uruguay a 23rd-minute lead.

Al-Owais — winning only his second cap after replacing Abdullah Al-Muaiouf in goal — completely missed a floated Carlos Sanchez corner and Suarez tapped in his 52nd international goal unmarked at the back post.

That strike was Suarez's sixth World Cup goal and made him the first Uruguayan to score in three separate finals.

Juan Antonio Pizzi's Saudi Arabia continued to look far more assured on the ball than it did in the 5-0 drubbing by Russia on the opening day of the tournament, with Hatan Bahbri firing a wild volley over shortly after seeing a long-range effort tipped away by Fernando Muslera.

Uruguay began the second period with greater purpose, and Suarez came close to a second when Al-Owais palmed clear his low freekick.

The three points and a last-16 spot should have been wrapped up just after the hour mark, but Sanchez headed over when unmarked at the back post from a wonderful Edinson Cavani cross.

The South Americans continued to be wasteful in front of goal, as Martin Caceres sent a header flying off target from the 33-year-old Sanchez's freekick.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Cavani came close to emulating Suarez by scoring in a third World Cup, but his low shot was smothered by the onrushing Al-Owais.

Uruguay showed all its know-how and experience, though, as Atletico Madrid defensive pair Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin helped see out the closing moments with ease. — AFP