Qatar’s LUSAIL — Cristiano Ronaldo was eclipsed by Bruno Fernandes on Monday as Portugal defeated Uruguay 2-0 to go to the 2022 World Cup’s knockout phase. Bruno Fernandes scored both goals for Portugal.
With Uruguay losing at Lusail Stadium, Portugal needed to defeat Ghana in their final match to have any chance of moving on to the next round. Fernandes was the difference-maker for Portugal in a hard-fought encounter.
Quick reaction
1.Portugal establishes themselves as a good team in Qatar
Portugal advanced to the round of 16, joining France and Brazil, but despite the fact that those two football powerhouses are among the favourites to win the World Cup, no one should undervalue this Portugal squad.
By winning without depending on Ronaldo’s goals, they were able to defeat a resolute Uruguay team that provided little in the way of offence. Fernandes of Manchester United would have scored a hat trick in Qatar, becoming the first player to do so, had it not been for a last-second shot that struck the post.
Portugal is a consistent participant in big competitions and a danger to more well-liked countries, although its sole major international achievement to date came at Euro 2016.
However, when the World Cup enters the knockout round, the best teams should avoid Portugal since they are capable of defeating anyone and might win the tournament this time around.
1.Ronaldo’s eagerness to score goals becomes cunning.
Ronaldo hasn’t achieved more than 800 goals in his career without having a strong desire to put the ball in the goal, but he even tried to subtly claim one against Uruguay.
The 37-year-old, who is now without a club following his contentious departure from Manchester United last week, became the first player to score in five World Cup competitions when he converted a penalty in Portugal’s opening 3-2 victory over Ghana in Qatar.
He also attempted to prevent Fernandes from scoring the game’s first goal against Uruguay by celebrating the score in the 54th minute as though it had been the midfielder’s cross.
Ronaldo’s head first appeared to have made only the slightest contact, but based on his response, it was clear that he had made the critical contact. However, several replays revealed that Ronaldo had neither touched the ball nor steered it into the goal.
Ronaldo’s response was captured on camera when the Lusail Stadium’s big screens announced moments later that Fernandes had been given the goal: He was looking at the screen and gave what appeared to be a nervous laugh in an effort to hide his disappointment or simply his disbelief that someone had the audacity to take the goal away from him.
Ronaldo had a similar expression when Fernando Santos, the manager, replaced him late in the game.
3.Stubborn Uruguay’s tough attitude sets the clock back.
Uruguay has long had an abundance of top-tier football talent, which has always been disproportionately high given the country’s small population of about 3.5 million.
However, Uruguay may frequently rely on a more physical style to win a success when their excellent attacking players don’t control the game, especially against teams as skilled as Portugal.
This was one of those times when Uruguay’s team under manager Diego Alonso showed off their cynical side, trying to end the match whenever possible with late challenges, shirt pulls, and an overall sense of over-physicality. Portugal players defended the area where Fernandes’ penalty was awarded against Uruguay players attempting to scuff it up.
Luis Suarez, Diego Godin, and Edinson Cavani are just a few of the tenacious, talented athletes that Uruguay has consistently produced, and they have all found success at the top teams in Europe.
Uruguay played this game as though happy with a draw, but aside from a late flurry of assaults when pursuing the game, they often attempted to cross the line in order to score. After receiving yellow cards, Rodrigo Bentancur and Mathias Olivera were fortunate to avoid being sent off for more offences.
When a team has the potential to defeat any opponent on any given day, it is unfortunate to see them play in such a poor manner.
Player ratings
Portugal: Diogo Costa 6; Joao Cancelo 7, Ruben Dias 6, Pepe 7, Nuno Mendes 5; Bernardo Silva 6, Ruben Neves 6, William Carvalho 6; Bruno Fernandes 7, Cristiano Ronaldo 5, Joao Felix 7.
Subs: Raphael Guerreiro 6, Rafael Leao 6, Goncalo Ramos 6, Joao Palhinha 6, Matheus Nunes 6.
Uruguay: Sergio Rochet 7; Sebastian Coates 6, Diego Godin 7, Jose Maria Gimenez 6; Fede Valverde 6, Matias Vecino 6, Rodrigo Bentancur 5; Guillermo Varela 6, Mathias Oliveira 5; Darwin Nunez 5, Edinson Cavani 5.
Subs: Facundo Pellistri 6, Giorgian de Arrascaeta 6, Maxi Gomez 6, Luis Suarez 6.
Best and worst performers
| BEST: | Bruno Fernandes, Portugal | The Manchester United midfielder stood out simply by scoring the goal that decided this dismal game. |
| WORST: | Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal | The Portugal captain was anonymous and only caught the attention when he tried to claim a goal that wasn’t his. |
Highlights and notable moments
In the 54th minute, the game-winning goal was scored. Cristiano Ronaldo sprang up for a free header as the ball rebounded into the goal after Bruno Fernandes sent a cross into the box.
Despite the fact that Fernandes was given credit for the goal and Ronaldo appeared to have missed the ball, the former celebrated as though it had been his goal. It was Fernandes’ first World Cup goal.
When Fernandes nutmegged the ball between Jose Maria Gimenez’s legs, Gimenez fell to the ground and reached out to brace himself, but the ball brushed by his hand and Portugal was given a questionable penalty. After viewing the footage, the referee ruled that it was a handball.
After the match: What the players and managers said
Credit for the revised goal goes to Bruno Fernandes:
“Regardless matter who scored, we are pleased with the victory. The fact that we achieved our goal of moving on to the next round is what matters most. I jubilated over the opening goal against Uruguay as though Cristiano had scored it. I had the impression that he had contact with the ball. To cross the ball for him was my goal.”
Fernando Santos, the manager of Portugal, on the scorer of Fernandes’ opening goal:
“I think it was a great match, our team played very well and the rest for me does not matter.”
Santos on the result:
“It was a well-earned triumph. The team fulfilled their promise. The next round is now open to us. We must now keep striving to enhance the areas that still need improvement. At halftime, I instructed my team to play our game, playing, and displaying confidence. We had to start playing this game since it is ours. Although there was some exhaustion and more might have joined, there are 26 of them and they can all participate. The fact that we won and won well is what matters.”
Santos on whether or not he’ll rest players for the match against South Korea on Friday:
“The game is over, we’re qualified. Tomorrow I’ll calmly think about these things.”
Key stats (provided by ESPN Stats & Information)
- Bruno Fernandes scored his first World Cup goal in four career appearances in the tournament.
- Fernandes has been involved in four out of the five goals scored by Portugal this World Cup (two goals, two assists).
Up next
- Portugal: Portugal takes against South Korea in Group H on Friday at 10 a.m. ET. Portugal, on the other hand, has qualified for the knockout phase after defeating Uruguay.
- Uruguay: Similarly, Uruguay will play Ghana in the last group stage match on Friday at 10 a.m. ET. After losing to Portugal, they must win against Ghana and see whether the other Group H game enhances their cause.