IN a game billed as Gareth Bale versus Luis Suarez, Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani gave Uruguay China Cup glory against Wales.

Edinson Cavani marked his 100th cap for Uruguay by scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Wales in the China Cup final Monday night.

Much of the local pre-match attention was focused upon the duel between Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale and Barcelona’s Luis Suarez lining up in opposing attacks, but Cavani proved the difference maker with his 42nd international goal.

Suarez hit both posts during an absorbing and open first half, leaving his long-time international strike partner Cavani to settle matters in the 49th minute with a far simpler finish than his spectacular semifinal overhead kick against the Czech Republic.

Bale and Wales, who thrashed host China 6-0 to book a spot in the final of the invitational tournament, were unable to muster a response as their second outing with Ryan Giggs as manager became a little ragged after half-time.

An early injury to Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez proved the only setback for Uruguay and their veteran boss Oscar Tabarez, who open their World Cup campaign against Egypt on June 15.

Bale and Suarez shared a warm embrace in the tunnel beforehand and the latter superstar almost gave Uruguay a second-minute lead when he fired Nahitan Nandez’s cut-back against the base of the left post from 10 meters.

Wales also asked early questions, with Sam Vokes sweeping Harry Wilson’s teasing cross into Fernando Muslera’s grateful arms.

Using Bale’s cross-field balls proved a fruitful ploy for Giggs’ men initially but he erred in the 14th minute and, from the resulting Uruguay attack, Cavani was unable to apply the decisive touch to Suarez’s inviting cross.

There was another let-off for Wales after the half hour when Suarez seized upon a woeful back-pass from Ashley Williams and rounded goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey. The right-hand post denied him on this occasion.

Hennessey then pushed over a rasping hit from Cavani, who headed wide from the resulting corner.

Suarez fired home from a Cavani lay-off before the hour, only to be correctly flagged offside, and although Wales’ defense was increasingly cut open at will, they still carried a threat in attack.

(SD-Agencies)