Luis Suárez marked his 100th international cap by sending Uruguay into the last 16 of the World Cup after benefiting from some poor goalkeeping to eliminate Saudi Arabia with a 1-0 win .

The Barcelona forward tapped in the only goal of the game midway through the first half after the Saudi keeper, Mohammed al-Owais, failed to get a fist to the ball from a corner. The goal put Uruguay second in Group A with a maximum six points and ensured qualification for the knockout phase as Saudi Arabia, who have not won a World Cup game since their debut in 1994, have yet to pick up a point.

Suárez’s goal was by no means the prettiest of his career but it was enough to secure the three points. “All we wanted to do was to win and qualify for the next round,” he said. “Today was another demonstration that it is so difficult to win a game in a World Cup. This World Cup is proving that what matters most is the result and we’re very proud to have reached the last 16 for the third time in a row.”

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At least Suárez, who missed three good opportunities in Uruguay’s opening win against Egypt, was at his efficient best with his 52nd international goal. And this tournament has already proved a lot better than four years ago when he bit Giorgio Chiellini and was sent home and banned for four months from all football-related activity.

The Uruguay defender Diego Godín spoke before the tournament about how the squad felt that Suárez had been “kicked out like a dog” and were keen to do much better than in Brazil, when they were knocked out by Colombia in the last 16.

They are in a good position to do so now with qualification from thegroup ensured with one gameremaining.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Suárez scores the only goal of the game after Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammed al-Owais spilled the ball into his path. Photograph: Marcos Brindicci/Reuters

The Uruguay coach, Óscar Tabárez, said: “We never thought that it would be easy. This is the World Cup and every team is strong. The game against Russia is now a very important test to try to see an improvement in the team.”

Asked about the performance of Suárez after the forward’s lacklustre display against Egypt, he said: “Today Suárez was better than in the first game. He worked for the team, made the goal and is a player who is very generous with the team in his work ethic. He assumes the pressure with which he lives permanently and that makes him different.”

Tabárez, who has chronic neuropathy and cannot walk unaided, has now taken Uruguay into the knockout phase of the World Cup for a remarkable fourth time.

Saudi Arabia, who endured a minor scare when an engine on their plane caught fire before landing in Rostov on Monday, have now failed to score in their last four World Cup games. After a 5-0 demolition at the hands of Russia in the tournament’s opening game, they performed better here but were ultimately shown up as toothless.

Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani wasted numerous chances, including one in the 14th minute when he skied a half-volley over the bar. The stadium burst into life in the 23rd minute, however, when an unmarked Suárez coolly tapped into an unguarded net from a corner kick after Owais came out but misjudged his jump and could not reach the ball. Suárez has now scored in three consecutive World Cups.

The Saudis continued to move the ball around but barely threatened a typically gritty Uruguay defence. The second half was even scrappier, with Saudi Arabia too limited going forward to trouble their opponents, who were happy to hold on to their narrow advantage.

• This article was amended on 21 June 2018. An earlier version referred to Luis Suárez’s “lacklustre display against Morocco”. This has been corrected to Egypt.