Russia 2018 has, so far at least, been the World Cup of the talismanic centre-forward. England have hat-trick hero Harry Kane, Diego Costa has popped up with vital goals for Spain, Cristiano Ronaldo is dragging his Portugal team kicking and screaming towards the knockout stages and Romelu Lukaku has been in scintillating form for Belgium. None, though, represent the essence of their team and the spirit of their nation in the same way as Uruguay’s number nine. With his infinite will to win, tireless work-rate and never-say-die attitude – attributes collectively referred to as Garra in his homeland – Luis Suarez personifies all that is treasured in Uruguayan football culture. At 31, this will most likely be the last shot at the World Cup for Suarez, as well as for his team-mates Diego Godin and Edinson Cavani, three players who have marked an era in the history of La Celeste. It is certainly the last stand for Oscar Washington Tabarez, the illustrious manager who has now led his country to four editions of football’s most prestigious tournament. All of them will be desperate to leave a lasting impression. For Suarez on a personal level, it is also a chance for redemption. His relationship with the World Cup has been one of intense highs and desperate, self-inflicted lows. First, there was the run to the semis in 2010. In the round-of-16 game against South Korea, he produced a herculean two-goal performance, but the lasting image of the tournament will always be the infamous off-the-line handball in the quarter-final against Ghana. Despite being decried as despicable cheating around the world, the move made him a hero at home, where winning is valued above all else. Then there was Brazil 2014, in which he again followed a scintillating brace, this time against England, with another moment of enormous controversy. His bizarre bite on Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini in the third group game led to a nine-game international ban and severely damaged his team’s chance of progressing past the last 16, where they fell to a James Rodriguez-inspired Colombia. This time around Uruguayans are hoping Suarez can repeat the heroics without the subsequent transgression. So far, so good. In the second group game against Saudi Arabia, Uruguay struggled to take control, allowing the Saudis too much possession in the middle third and showing little attacking creativity.