Portugal are the first team from Group H to qualify for the Round of 16. They started their world cup mission with a stunning victory against Ghana. After that, the Portuguese defeated Uruguay last night to secure a place in the next round. However, Manchester United midfield maestro Bruno Fernandez scored a brace to help his team to beat Uruguay at Lusail Stadium.
As it happened
Uruguay’s starting at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar was not good enough. Despite having a balanced team, Uruguay failed to score a single goal in the world cup after playing two games. They faced South Korea in the first match, where the game ended in a 0-0 tie. As a result, Uruguay needed to win against Portugal to qualify for the Round of 16.
In this match, Uruguay’s boss set up the team formation with 3-5-2. Meanwhile, Portugal manager Fernando Santo played his team in a 4-1-2-1-2. Cristiano Ronaldo led the attack with Joao Felix, while Bruno Fernandez played just behind them as an attacking midfielder.
However, both teams tried to find the net from the beginning. But Uruguay got one of the best chances in the 32nd minute to take the lead. Midfielder Bentancur dribbled the Portuguese defenders and entered the box. But Portugal’s goalkeeper Diogo Costa made an incredible save to deny the goal. After that, no side found the net in the first half.
Returning from the break, Portugal played better football than in the first half. Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes were magnificent with the ball. They created many chances. However, Bruno Fernandes scored the first goal of this match in the 54th minute with a brilliant free-kick. It seemed Ronaldo touched the ball, but the match official gave the goal to Bruno after the VAR checking.
After that, Uruguay became more desperate to find an equalizer. They could have scored one in the 75th minute, but Maximiliano Gomez’s powerful shot hit the right post. In injury time, Portugal was awarded a penalty kick, which Bruno took and scored! As a result, Portugal won the match by a 2-0 margin and sealed a place in the Round of 16.