"Russia have surprised everyone. But we're only focussed on the Saudis right now. They're good too and it's up to us to attack their weak points," he said after a sun-kissed training session at a sports centre by woodland near the Volga river.

Looking relaxed and contented at a news conference, the Uruguay players dismissed concerns about the toll on them from gruelling flights from South America and around Russia.

"Every team is flying a lot. You just rest well and prepare for the next game, we're fine," said Varela, whose team has travelled one of the furthest distances for the World Cup.

Nor were there any worries over the form of striker Luis Suarez, who uncharacteristically fluffed several chances against Egypt. "He's fine. He couldn't score, but we had someone else who did! I'm just grateful to be alongside Luis," Varela said.

Right now, Uruguay have bragging rights in South America, over perennial rivals Argentina who only managed a 1-1 draw with Iceland, and Peru who lost to Denmark. But again, the Uruguayans were keeping their feet well on the ground.

"It's a World Cup. All the teams are good. Some great teams are finding it hard to win. Look at France, they also found it difficult," Sanchez said, of France's hard-fought - some would say lucky - 2-1 win over Australia.

- Reuters