World Cup 2022: Portugal Wins 2-0 in Order for Uruguay to Advance to the Round of 16, Bruno Fernandes Scored Twice and Cristiano Ronaldo Scored

Match report as Bruno Fernandes nets double to see Portugal into the knockout stages; Cristiano Ronaldo claimed he got a touch for the first goal; a protester carrying a rainbow flag and wearing a ‘Save Ukraine’ T-shirt invades pitch; Fernandes netted late penalty after harsh VAR check

Following a 2-0 victory over Uruguay, Bruno Fernandes scored twice to advance Portugal from Group H to the knockout stages with one game remaining.

Although the forward failed to touch Fernandes’ cross that went into the goal, Cristiano Ronaldo believed he had scored a second-half header.

Portugal’s deserved lead came just a minute after a protester had invaded the pitch carrying a rainbow flag and wearing a t-shirt which read “Save Ukraine” and “Respect for Iranian women”.

In the 90th minute, a VAR review determined that Jose Maria Gimenez had handled the ball in the area, and with Ronaldo removed, Fernandes converted the penalty kick. Uruguay nearly tied the game when substitute Maxi Gomez hit a post and Luis Suarez missed from close range.

How Portugal Qualified for the Last 16

Player Ratings:

Portugal: Costa (eight), Joao Cancelo (seven), Dias (seven), Pepe (seven), Mendes (six), Silva (seven), Neves (six), Carvalho (seven), Fernandes (nine), Ronaldo (seven), and Felix (seven).

Subs: Leao (6), Ramos (n/a), Nunes (n/a), Guerreiro (7), and Palhinha (n/a).

Uruguay: Rochet (5), Coates (6), Godin (6), Gimenez (6), Varela (6), Valverde (6), Vecino (5), Bentancur (7), Olivera (5), Nunez (5), and Cavani (5).

Subs: Suarez (5), Gomez (6), De Arrascaeta (6), and Pellistri (6).

Man of the match: Bruno Fernandes

Rodrigo Bentancur brilliantly weaved through the defense to give Uruguay the best chance of the first half, but goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved him from scoring one of the great World Cup goals. Portugal dominated the dull contest.

Nuno Mendes was forced off the field due to injury and left in tears. Despite this, Portugal’s performance in the second half improved once play resumed after a fan’s protest.

Ronaldo had a clear header at goal after Fernandes floated a cross into the box for him. He missed the opportunity to touch the ball, which continued to roll into the corner. Uruguay rallied with 15 minutes left in the game and immediately began to play some of their best football. Gomez’s first-time shot from the edge of the box hit the post, Suarez’s shot went wide when he should have scored, and Giorgian de Arrascaeta’s chip was stopped by Costa.

At the conclusion of regulation, Gimenez’s trailing hand touched the ball as he lunged into a tackle on Fernandes, who converted the ensuing penalty after referee Alireza Faghani was instructed to check the pitchside monitor.

As his low drive from the outside of the area rebounded off a post, Fernandes came close to having a perfect night.

What Does the Result Mean?

Portugal are through to the last 16, along with Brazil and France still require a point to be crowned Group H winners. Ghana are the only remaining rival for top spot, but the Africans could still finish behind both South Korea and Uruguay.

The decision is straightforward for those two teams: win or leave. Even success, however, might not be sufficient. A win for South Korea would be meaningless if Ghana defeated Uruguay, but victories for both Uruguay and South Korea would tie them up at four points each and put them only apart on goal differential.

Goal difference, and possibly goals scored, would serve as the final arbiter if Ghana earned a point and Korea won.

Opta Stats: Uruguay Struggling at Both Ends

• Portugal has won its first two World Cup group stage matches for the third time; they also did so in 1966 and 2006, when they advanced to the semifinals in both cases.
• Only twice in the history of the World Cup has Uruguay gone three games without scoring; the other time was from 1986 to 1990, when they also went three games without scoring.
• At the 2022 World Cup, only Brazil (0) and Ecuador (1) have faced fewer shots on goal from the opposition than Uruguay (3), who gave up with two of the three they faced today.
• In his last five matches for Portugal, Bruno Fernandes has been directly involved in eight goals, scoring five and providing three assists.

What Else Happened at the World Cup on Monday?

An intense Monday at the World Cup began with Cameroon battling back from a 3-1 deficit to tie Serbia 3-3 in Group G. It’s a result that doesn’t do much for either team, who both needed victories to improve their chances of qualifying but still have a chance to finish second going into their final matches.

The goals kept coming as Ghana defeated South Korea 3-2 in Group H, giving them everything to play for in their final match against Uruguay.

By defeating Switzerland 1-0 on the strength of Casemiro’s goal, Brazil advanced to the knockout rounds.

Image source: sports.ndtv.com

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