Good afternoon and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE coverage of the Group A clash between Uruguay and hosts Russia. We'll bring you all the action as it happens. Kick off is at 3pm.

Having said that, one goal would change the dynamic of this match. There is a great spirit to this Russia team and a foothold in the game could give them a chance of a comeback.

One wonders if Russia might take their foot off the gas in this second half. As in, might they just sit back and absorb pressure rather than chasing the game? They look beaten.

No changes made by either side, but Uruguay already have a freekick in a dangerous position. Cavani strikes the set piece right into the Russian wall. He'll be disappointed with that.

The second half is under way in Samara! Uruguay are 2-0 up against 10-man Russia.

What did you make of the first half in Samara? Have Russia lost this already, down to 10 men and two goals behind? How many can Uruguay rack up here? Tweet me!

HALF TIME: Uruguay 2-0 Russia. The South Americans deserve to be ahead against the hosts who have shot themselves in the foot more than once over the course of 45 minutes.

The thing about this Uruguay performance is that while they have played well in this first half, they still haven't managed to get the best out of Cavani and Suarez. Capable of so much more.

In the other game in this group, the oldest player in World Cup history has just saved a penalty.

Russia need to get into the dressing room at half time and come up with a new game plan. Although this might already be about damage limitation for the host nation.

Uruguay are now taking the chance to knock the ball around the midfield, taking a break. It's understandable. They are well on top and in all likelihood have the points in the bag here.

Russia make a change after the sending off, with Fernandes coming on. Cheryshev is the one coming off, though. Which is strange.

That was madness from Smolnikov. He didn't need to make that tackle in that area of the pitch. It was a really bad challenge. Completely deserving of a second yellow card.

Well, this is already looking like a write off of an afternoon for Russia. They are two goals down and now they will have to play 60 minutes of this match with only 10 men.

SENT OFF! It goes from bad to worse for Russia. Smolnikov is shown a second yellow card for a very late tackle on Laxalt.

Torreira has made quite the impression for Uruguay in this first half. The Sampdoria midfielder has been linked with a move to Arsenal in recent weeks. On this showing, that would be a good signing.

Can Russia find a way back into this game before the break? They have worked their way into dangerous positions in this first half, but they look so vulnerable at the back.

This has been so much more expansive from Uruguay. They registered narrow 1-0 wins in their first two group games, but they could have had three or four in this first half so far.