Portugal vs Uruguay: Both sides look to move through the gears
James Davis previews the World Cup Group H clash between Portugal and Uruguay.
Five goals in the final 30 minutes brought Portugal’s opening fixture to life, as they saw off a late Ghana charge to top Group H.
With South Korea and Uruguay playing out a goalless draw in an intense, if imprecise match, the Portuguese side could secure passage into the knockout stages with a game to spare if they beat their South American opponents.
Diego Alonso is likely to demand nothing short of a win for his Uruguay side, anything less leaving them in a precarious position going into the final round of matches.
Newly clubless Cristiano Ronaldo converted a controversial penalty last time out to take his international goal tally to 118, winning praise from FIFA of all places for the manner in which he won the spot-kick.
Ronaldo is likely to reprise his vital role up top for the Seleção, success for the forward usually coming hand-in-hand with victory for the national side. In the last decade, Portugal have only lost four matches in which he has scored.
Diogo Costa will be hoping for a less eventful outing in the Portugal goal, after his error last-minute error nearly allowed a Ghanaian equaliser in the opening game.
Also hoping to improve will be João Cancelo. At fault for Ghana’s second goal, the Manchester City defender has not looked comfortable in the Portugal shirt of late, performing poorly in their last competitive fixture against Spain.
Uruguay will hope for a more clinical showing this time out, as they failed to produce a shot on target in their opening game.
Diego Godín, in the twilight of his career but still a strong attacking presence against South Korea, will surely start, as surely will Luis Suárez despite a lacklustre 64 minutes against the Asian nation.
Suárez may hope that a good performance in this fixture will grant him a reprieve from lining up against a Ghanaian side for whom he is public enemy number one, the wounds from South Africa still unhealed 12 years on.
Federico Valverde once again asserted his position in the heart of the Uruguay midfield with a coherent performance in the first group game, and being granted greater freedom to create could see the Real Madrid man be the first name on the scoresheet for his nation at this World Cup.
The match kicks off at 7pm on ITV in the UK.
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