Portugal 2-0 Uruguay: Bruno Fernandes Secures Portugal’s place in the Round of 16
Portugal qualified for the World Cup round of 16 following their staggered performance against Uruguay at the Lusail Stadium on Monday night. Uruguay now must beat Ghana in order to secure qualification, assuming South Korea lose to Portugal.
In what was a stuttering rather than sparkling clash between the two teams, Bruno Fernandes dominated, his two goals guiding Portugal to victory.
Fernandes could have had a precious World Cup hat-trick but was denied late on by Sergio Rochet and the woodwork. Fernando Santos made three changes to the Portugal side that beat Ghana, with Pepe coming in to win his 130th cap at the age of 39.
The man who ended Portugal’s World Cup in 2018, Edinson Cavani, was selected ahead of Luis Suarez to lead the Uruguay line. There was a Liverpool and Manchester United feel to the other two changes, with Guillermo Varela and Sebastian Coates also coming in.
The teams exchanged early speculative strikes at goal inside the first three minutes but neither was on target in a cagey first 45 minutes at the Lusail Stadium.
A bit of colour was added to the encounter in the 6th minute when Rodrigo Bentancur was yellow carded for his foul on Rúben Dias.
The first half remained an evenly poised encounter, with yellow cards taking center stage alongside missed chances. Rúben Neves and Mathías Olivera for Portugal and Uruguay respectively joined Bentancur in the referee’s book.
Nuno Mendes had to be substituted by Raphael Guerreiro on 42 minutes following what seemed like the recurrence of a pre-game injury.
Portugal were the better side at half time, but Uruguay came closer to scoring – and what a goal it would’ve been. Instead, we went to the break locked at 0-0.
More colour was added to this encounter in the 50th minute when a pitch invader ran across the pitch wearing a t-shirt bearing the words ‘Save Ukraine’ and ‘Respect for Iranian Women’, whilst waving a rainbow flag. Such scenes would likely have left FIFA president Gianni Infantino searching for more feelings.
Spectators had to wait 54 minutes for the first goal, initially credited to Cristiano Ronaldo before VAR rightfully recognized Bruno Fernandes for his efforts.
Fernandes clipped a lovely ball into the box which initially looked to have been glanced by Ronaldo’s hair, but replays revealed no contact, and Fernandes was correctly credited for the goal.
Luis Suárez and Maximiliano Gómez were introduced in the 73rd minute, Cavani and Darwin Nunez making way as Diego Alonso attempted to rejuvenate Uruguay’s attack.
Substitute Suarez made an instant impact, missing an opportunity just inside the box following a scramble in the corner.
Suarez was made to rue his missed chance as Fernandes converted late on from the penalty spot after a VAR ruled José María Giménez had handled the ball.
This result puts Portugal top of the group, and assured of a place in the round of 16.
As for Uruguay, they will need to beat a spirited Ghanaian side in final Group H game and hope that South Korea do not get a result against Portugal on Friday.
