Juan Antonio Pizzi's squad rebounded from the 5-0 defeat to hosts Russia in their opening match with a solid performance against Uruguay and Saudi Arabia will be aiming to go one better against Egypt.

Against Uruguay, Saudi Arabia fell to a Luis Suarez goal but Pizzi was happy with the way his players rebounded after the heavy defeat to Russia.

The Green Falcons opened their campaign with a 5-0 defeat to hosts Russia, and despite showing improvement, they fell 1-0 to Uruguay in their second match.

“We may not have done enough to get the result we wanted but we had lots of the ball (possession) and we circulated it well,” said the 50-year-old Argentinian coach.

"We imposed ourselves on the game against Uruguay.

“The goal we conceded was unfortunate, but we didn’t have the tools they had. We couldn’t equalise, but we controlled the play. We didn’t suffer.”

Following the 5-0 defeat by Russia in the opening match, Juan Antonio Pizzi made four changes to his starting line up, bringing on goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais for Abdullah Al Mayouf, centre-back Ali Al Bulaihi for Omar Hawsawi, winger Hattan Bahebri for Yahya Al Shehri and striker Fahad Al Muwallad for Mohammed Al Sahlawi.

The changes produced a much-improved performance from Saudi Arabia as a solitary Luis Suarez strike was the difference at the final whistle.

Uruguay booked their place in the knockout stage along with Russia, as Luis Suarez scored the winner on his 100th international appearance.

The 31-year-old Suarez, whose previous two World Cups both ended in bans after his infamous 2010 handball against Ghana and bite on Italy's Giorgio Chiellini four years later, took advantage of a goalkeeping error by Mohammed Al Owais to put Uruguay ahead midway through the first half.

The Koreans have yet to claim a point in their first two games but still harbour the slimmest of hopes of finishing second, with a victory over the Germans by two goals and a Swedish defeat at the hands of Mexico in the day’s other match required to take the Taeguk Warriors into the last 16.

But with the Mexico reversal the Koreans’ second straight loss following an agonising defeat by Sweden in their opener, Lee is not confident he and his teammates can advance to the knockout phase for the first time since 2010.

And although restricted to a substitute appearance so far in what is his third, and almost certainly final campaign, the former AC Milan star has not given up on that unlikely dream becoming reality.

"I'm feeling that this World Cup is my final one," Honda said at the team's training base in Kazan.

"I'm 32 years old and four years is pretty long. Right now I can't decide about (what will happen) four years later, so I'm spending all my energy on this World Cup.

"That's why I really want to succeed at this World Cup, with these teammates."

Diego Costa’s fortuitous goal nine minutes into the second half was all that separated the sides at Kazan Arena and the loss leaves Ansarfiard and his teammates needing to win their final game against Portugal to secure a place in the Round of 16.

Iran have never progressed beyond the group stages in any of their previous four appearances at the FIFA World Cup, with the Carlos Queiroz-coached team also falling short in Brazil four years ago.

But, with Iran only one point behind the Portuguese in Group B after two rounds of matches, the versatile Olympiacos star is confident Team Melli can find a way past Cristiano Ronaldo and company in Kaliningrad next week.