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. For the best sports betting casinos of December check out our pages!
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.
Portugal has proved that they are a top team in Qatar/ Portugal advanced to the round of 16, joining France and Brazil, but even though those two football powerhouses are among the favorites 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 offense. 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.
Midfielder Fernandes is one of several Portuguese players who, although world-class in their own right, are all too frequently eclipsed by Ronaldo. Additionally, Portugal has elite defenders like Ruben Dias and the seasoned Pepe, as well as Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao, and Joao Felix. Check 18bet out for some amazing offers!
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.
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 strike in the 54th minute as though it had been the midfielder’s cross.
Ronaldo’s head initially appeared to have made only the slightest contact, but based on his reaction, it was clear that he had made the crucial 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 to hide his disappointment or simply his disbelief that someone dared to take the goal away from him.
Ronaldo had a similar expression when Fernando Santos, the manager, replaced him late in the game.
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 can frequently rely on a more physical approach to get a result when their excellent attacking players don’t control the game, especially against teams as talented 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 to score. After receiving yellow cards, Rodrigo Bentancur and Mathias Olivera were fortunate to avoid being sent off for more offenses.
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.
