Portugal with the Blues and Brazil in the eighth

Four days after their victory over Ghana (3-2), the Selecçao got the better of Uruguay on Monday, with a double from Bruno Fernandes (2-0).  Portugal is thus qualified for the round of 16 of the World Cup.

Like France, Brazil or Spain, Portugal is one of the best equipped teams on paper to win the supreme trophy. After a first outing concluded with a meritorious, and nevertheless narrow, victory over Ghana (3-2), the Lusitanians had to confirm their status in front of Uruguay – initially held in check by South Korea for their part (0 -0) – this Monday evening in Lusail. Mission accomplished ! In pain…

Despite a relative Portuguese domination in the first act, it was the Uruguayans who got the best chance in these first 45 minutes, on a galloping and hard-hitting breakthrough from Bentancur (32nd).  And while the debates purred somewhat at the start of the second period, a re-entrant kick from Bruno Fernandes, touched by the wick by Cristiano Ronaldo, got the better of the solidity of Celeste (1-0, 54th).

CR7 believed for a time to sign his 119th goal there – the ninth in the World Cup – but Fifa did grant the achievement to his former Mancunian teammate.  A Bruno Fernandes who in additional time finally secured the break for his team, on a penalty obtained by him for a Uruguayan hand in the box (2-0, 90th + 3).  Before knocking on wood in the very last seconds of the game (90th + 9).

Read also: Portugal-Uruguay, the film of the match

 The outcome is no less cruel for Uruguay, who had the opportunities to come back to the score, on this post from Maxi Gomez (75th) or these misses closer to Luis Suarez (78th) and Giorgian De Arrascaeta (  79th).  A victory against Ghana in four days and Edinson Cavani's partners will have a good chance of reaching the knockout stages, however.  For Portugal, the ticket is already in the pocket.  Like the Blues and the Brazilians.

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