Portugal secured their passage into the last 16 at the 2022 World Cup after a 2-0 win courtesy of a Bruno Fernandes brace.
The European side controlled the first half in terms of possession but without creating any real clear-cut opportunities. Fernando Santos’ side probed for an opening but Uruguay’s defence stood firm, not surprising given they came into this match on a run of five consecutive clean sheets at the World Cup.
Uruguay looked to pinch the ball back when they could but failed to fashion much in the way of attacks in the early period of the first half.
Rodrigo Bentancur then had the best chance of the half, going close after driving through the Portuguese defence, but Diogo Costa was equal to it. It was a golden opportunity for Diego Alonso’s side who should have really went in 1-0 up at the break.
Portugal found the breakthrough in the 54th minute through Fernandes. The Manchester United man whipped a cross into the box and on first glance Cristiano Ronaldo looked to have got the slightest of touches on it but FIFA quickly reversed their original decision to give Ronaldo the goal and gave it to Fernandes.
Uruguay looked a different team after the goal, making attacking changes in the form of Facundo Pellistri, Maximiliano Gomez and Luis Suarez, and went for it in search of an equaliser, going close on numerous occasions.
Maxi Gomez saw an effort crash off the post and just moments later substitute Suarez fired just wide with an effort that looked certain to be the equaliser.
Portugal continued to hold firm but it looked as though a Uruguay equaliser was coming, that was until Portugal won an injury-time penalty to put the game to bed. Fernandes made his way into the box before sliding the ball through the legs of Jose María Gimenez, who then blocked the ball with arm. The man who earned the penalty was on hand to step up and score from the spot to make it 2-0.
TALKING POINT – LET’S TALK ABOUT BRUNO
Fernandes has had his share of criticism in the past, particularly in Portugal, for his performances in a Portugal shirt, but game by game he is changing that narrative. Manchester United’s talisman scored twice in a 2-0 win against North Macedonia to send Portugal to the World Cup and his impact has continued at the tournament.
Two assists in Portugal’s first match against Ghana helped his side to a 3-2 win and tonight his two goals ensured Portugal’s passage into the knockout stages. He is growing in stature in a Portugal shirt and no longer looks like the Fernandes of old, who was in and out of the starting XI and struggled to convert his scintillating club form in the green and red of Portugal.
That is now eight goal involvements in his last five appearances for his nation and if Portugal are to go deep in this competition, they will need Fernandes to keep firing on all cylinders.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – BRUNO FERNANDES (PORTUGAL)
An obvious choice, Fernandes was the match-winner for Portugal, scoring twice and sending his team to the round of 16. He could have had four goals in truth, seeing one go a whisker wide and the other strike the woodwork. He looked to get Portugal up the pitch at every opportunity and was constantly involved. Defensively he played his part too, making two tackles, one interception and one clearance.
PLAYER RATINGS
Portugal: Diogo Costa 8, Joao Cancelo 7, Pepe 7, Ruben Dias 7, Nuno Mendes 7, Bernardo Silva 7, Ruben Neves 6, William Carvalho 7, Bruno Fernandes 9, Joao Felix 7, Cristiano Ronaldo 7
Subs: Raphael Guerreiro 7, Rafael Leao 6, Joao Palhinha 6, Matheus Nunes 6, Goncalo Ramos 6
Uruguay: Sergio Rochet 6, Sebastian Coates 6, Diego Godin 6, Jose Maria Gimenez 6, Mathias Olivera 7, Matias Vecino 6, Rodrigo Bentancur 7, Federico Valverde 6, Guillermo Varela 6, Edinson Cavani 6, Darwin Nunez 6
Subs: Luis Suarez 6, Maximiliano Gomez 6, Facundo Pellistri 7, Giorgian de Arrascaeta 6
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
32′ FANTASTIC SAVE – Rodrigo Bentancur runs through the Portuguese defence but his effort is saved by Diogo Costa. A huge let off for Portugal, what a chance for Uruguay.
54′ GOAL PORTUGAL – Bruno Fernandes fires in a superb ball and Cristiano Ronaldo looked to have had the final touch but the goal is given by FIFA to Fernandes.
74′ POST! – Maxi Gomez lets fly with a superb effort and it crashes off the post! That would have been a fantastic goal.
78′ BIG CHANCE – Luis Suarez fires inches wide! That was so close to 1-1.
92′ GOAL – PORTUGAL! Bruno Fernandes scores from the spot to put Portugal 2-0 up!
