Bruno Fernandes double
Bruno Fernandes’ double gives Portugal revenge for four years ago and leaves Uruguay on the ropes.
Uruguay have yet to score a goal
Portugal became another team already assured of a place in the last 16 of the World Cup in Qatar after a Bruno Fernandes double earned them a 2-0 win on Monday over a late Uruguay side who, with only a point to their name and still no goals to their name, remain on the ropes in Group H.
Sporting revenge
The sporting revenge of the 2018 World Cup round of 16 clash in Russia was this time for the Portuguese, who were able to take their chances in a match where they always seemed to want more than an opponent who, despite this, surely enjoyed good chances to have obtained a better result for the game offered for many minutes.
Uruguay, very conservative
The two-time world champions opted to be more conservative right from their line-up, with a five-man defence, which worked to control any attacking attempts from Fernando Santos’ men, but for little else because they could not get too close to Diogo Costa’s area, with very little from Fede Valverde and with Darwin Núñez and Edinson Cavani totally deactivated by Ruben Dias and the veteran Pepe.
Portuguese dominance, Uruguayan chances
Portugal dominated most of the game and had the better of the first 45 minutes. However, the clearest chance was Uruguay’s, thanks to a great long-range run from Rodrigo Bentancur, who found no opposition and was one-on-one with Diogo Costo, who was able to keep out the shot.
Nuno Mendes injury
It was the highlight of a first half that also saw Nuno Mendes injured in a final period where Uruguay felt more comfortable.
Portugal came out better after the break
The scenario of the match changed at the start of the second half. Portugal again started the better and after a warning in a transition by Joao Felix, whose shot crashed into the side of Rochet’s net, they took the lead.
Cristiano appeared
Cristiano Ronaldo popped up in the heart of the box to seemingly get his head to a fine Bruno Fernandes delivery and make it 1-0. The Madeira-born player celebrated, but FIFA, however, ended up giving the goal to the assistant.
Uruguay on the brink of the abyss
Uruguay was on the brink of the abyss, but they were unable to react as the Portuguese defence stood firm.
Changes in both teams
Diego Alonso looked for solutions and broke down the five-man defence with the introduction of Pellistri and De Arrascaeta, and then brought on Maxi Gomez and Luis Suarez for an innocuous Darwin Nunez and Edinson Cavani up front. Fernando Santos, faced with space, was also ambitious and introduced Rafael Leao for Ruben Neves.
Shot against the post
Then the woodwork, as it did against South Korea in the opening match, again stood in the way of the two-time world champions, who saw Maxi Gomez’s shot from outside the area repelled by the post.
Uruguay’s best moments
That chance spurred on the Charrúa team, who had their best moments with two more good chances for Luis Suárez, who shot into the side-netting from a loose ball in the box after a free-kick, and De Arrascaeta, who was denied by Diogo Costa’s swift save.
Fresh legs for Portugal
Santos then decided to save what precious spoils he had and withdrew Joao Felix and Cristiano Ronaldo to bring on more fresh legs and containment.
José María Giménez penalty
The measure took effect and the ‘Tugas’ managed to live an end without stress with the penalty for handball by José María Giménez and after the warning of the VAR, scored in the added time by a Bruno Fernandes, who could still sign the hat-trick before the end of the clash with two more chances, one of them crashed against the post.
