Portugal advanced to the knockout stages of the 2022 FIFA World Cup after defeating Uruguay 2-0, with Bruno Fernandes starring on Monday night.
2022 FIFA World Cup
Result: Portugal 2-0 Uruguay
Date: 28 November 2022
Venue: Lusail Iconic Stadium
The Selecao made three changes from their win over Ghana, as Pepe, Nuno Mendes and William Carvalho were all recalled. Uruguay, meanwhile, recalled veteran forward Edinson Cavani to partner Darwin Nunez upfront.
The Sky Blue looked to unsettle Portugal with their physicality in the early stages, as the likes of Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes could not play their normal passing game.
With Ronaldo starved of service upfront for Fernando Santos' charges, Uruguay carved out the first big chance shortly after the half-hour mark after Rodrigo Bentancur was slipped clear on goal in the box but his low shot was heroically saved by goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
That big moment should have brought the game to life, however, the closing exchanges of the first stanza remained cagey and the sides went to the break deadlocked, with Portugal yet to test shot-stopper Sergio Rochet.
The Selecao showed more urgency early in the second stanza and they eventually went ahead nine minutes in after Fernandes curled a cross in the box that got past the head of Ronaldo and bounced towards the far post.
Uruguay were fired up to get back into the game and Diego Alonso made a double attacking with 18 minutes remaining, as Luis Suarez and Maximiliano Gomez both replaced Cavani and Nunez for fresh legs.
The changes had a desired effect for Uruguay as Gomez came close to equalising just three minutes later with a rocket from out of the box that rattled the post and Suarez missed the target from point-blank range at the near post a moment later.
However, Portugal tamed the aggression from the Sky Blue in the dying minutes with a triple change, that also saw Ronaldo withdrawn.
The fresh legs gave the Selecao new energy going forward and Santos' men were awarded a penalty belatedly from a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review after a handball in the box by Jose Gimenez, which allowed Fernandes to double the lead and complete his brace.
The Manchester United midfielder was denied the third goal for Portugal in stoppages by the post, as the Selecao joined Brazil and France in the last 16 with a match to spare after accumulating six points in Group H.
Uruguay need to win their final group game against Ghana to stand any chance of progressing to the knockout stages.
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