LUSAIL, Qatar — Bruno Fernandes overshadowed cristiano ronaldo by scoring both goals for Portugal in Monday like a 2-0 win against Uruguay won a spot in the 2022 World Cup knockout round for the 2016 European champions.
In a tough match at Lusail Stadium, Fernandes made the key difference for Portugal as their loss to Uruguay left them bottom of Group H and needed to win first. gana in their last match to have any hope of qualifying for the next stage.
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rapid response
1. Portugal prove they are the top team in Qatar
Portugal participation France and Brazil by securing their place in the round of 16, but while those two football heavyweights are among the contenders for the World Cup, no one should underestimate this Portuguese team. .
They were able to overcome a difficulty Uruguay, who contributed little to progress, by winning without relying on Ronaldo’s goals. And minus the last-minute shot that hit the post, Manchester United‘s Fernandes will become the first player to score a hat-trick in Qatar.
Fernandes, a midfielder, is just one of the Portuguese players who have established themselves as stars but are often overshadowed by Ronaldo. Portugal also has Bernardo Silva, Raphael Leao, Joao Felix and top defenders like Ruben Dias and veterans Penelope.
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Portugal has always been a contender at major tournaments and a threat to more prominent nations, but their only international success so far has been at Euro 2016.
However, as the World Cup enters the knockout stages, Portugal is the team that the top teams have to stay away from as they have the ability to beat anyone and can go all the way at this point.
2. Ronaldo’s desire to score becomes stealthy
Ronaldo hasn’t scored more than 800 goals in his career without a fervent desire to put the ball in the net, but he has gone so far as to try to surreptitiously claim a goal he didn’t score. Uruguay.
37-year-old man, currently without a club after leaving Manchester United last week, becoming the first player to score in five World Cup tournaments when he successfully netted a penalty in a 3-2 win over gana In Portugalopening match in Qatar.
But he also tried to deny Fernandes’ opener in this game against Uruguay by reacting to the 54th minute strike by celebrating as if he had headed it after the midfielder’s cross. .
At first glance, it appeared to be nothing but the faintest touch from Ronaldo’s head, but his reaction showed no doubt he made the decisive touch. However, a series of replays showed that Ronaldo did not touch the ball or put the ball in the net.
When the big screens at Lusail Stadium announced shortly afterwards that Fernandes had been awarded the goal, Ronaldo’s reaction was captured on camera: He was looking at the screen and emitting an apparent smile. nervous as he tries to hide his disappointment, or simply his disbelief that someone has boldly taken away his goal.
It was a similar look from Ronaldo when he was substituted by coach Fernando Santos in the late game.
3. Skeptic Uruguay goes back in time with a rough approach
Uruguay is a country that has been and continues to be endowed with world-class soccer talent, which has always been disproportionately tall for a population of just 3.5 million.
But when their superb attacking players don’t dominate the game, Uruguay can often rely on a more physical approach to get results, especially against talented teams like Portugal.
This was one of the occasions when manager Diego Alonso’s players showed Uruguay’s cynical side, trying to kill the game at every opportunity with late tackles, shirt pulls and a general sense of fitness. excessive force. On Fernandes’ penalty, the Portuguese players defended position from Uruguayan players looking to sabotage it.
Uruguay has always produced tough, dedicated players and their combination of tenacity and ability is why there are so many players, such as Luis Suárez, Diego Godin and Edinson Cavanihave been successful at major European clubs over the years.
But aside from being on the offensive late in the game in pursuit of the score, Uruguay played this game as if they were content with a draw and they repeatedly tried to win points by crossing the line. Both Rodrigo Bentancur and Mathias Olivera got a yellow card and then luckily didn’t get sent off for an extra foul.
It’s a shame to see a team of such talent play in such a negative way, especially when they have the players to beat any side of their day.
Player Rating
Portugal: Diogo Costa 6; Joao Cancelo 7, Ruben Dias 6, Pepe 7, Nuno Mendes 5; Bernardo Silva 6, Ruben Neves 6, William Carvalho 6; Bruno Fernandes 7, Cristiano Ronaldo 5, Joao Felix 7.
Prep: Raphael Guerreiro 6, Rafael Leao 6, Goncalo Ramos 6, Joao Palhinha 6, Matheus Nunes 6.
Uruguay: Sergio Rochet 7; Sebastian Coates 6, Diego Godin 7, Jose Maria Gimenez 6; Fede Valverde 6, Matias Vecino 6, Rodrigo Bentancur 5; Guillermo Varela 6, Mathias Oliveira 5; Darwin Nunez 5, Edinson Cavani 5.
Prep: Facundo Pellistri 6, Giorgian de Arrascaeta 6, Maxi Gomez 6, Luis Suarez 6.
Best and worst performers
BEST: Bruno Fernandes, Portugal
The Manchester United midfielder stood out simply by scoring the winning goal in this dismal match.
BEST: Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
The Portuguese captain remained anonymous and only attracted attention when he tried to claim a goal that was not his.
Highlights and remarkable moments
The winning goal came in the 54th minute. Bruno Fernandes made a cross from inside the box, and Cristiano Ronaldo headed up for free as the ball bounced back into the net.
Ronaldo celebrated as if it was his goal and he was initially scored, but upon closer inspection it appeared he missed the ball and the goal was scored for Fernandes. Fernandes’ first goal at a World Cup.
Did Ronaldo touch this goal? pic.twitter.com/SdW0v6NjCZ
– FOX Football (@FOXSoccer) November 28, 2022
Fernandes hasn’t been done, though.
A slightly questionable penalty was awarded to Portugal as Fernandes let the ball pass Jose Maria Gimenez and Gimenez fell to the ground, reaching out to parry the fall and the ball grazing his arm. The referee determined it was a handball after reviewing the video.
A penalty was awarded to Portugal for this play pic.twitter.com/FyG8XT9Fjg
– FOX Football (@FOXSoccer) November 28, 2022
After the game: What players and coaches say
Bruno Fernandes is credited for the change of goal: “We are happy with the win no matter who scores. The most important thing is that we achieved our goal, which is to reach the next round. I celebrated. [the opener against Uruguay] as if it were Cristiano’s goal. It seemed to me that he had touched the ball. My aim is to pass the ball to him.”
Portugal coach Fernando Santos on who scored Fernandes’ first goal: “I think it was a great game, our team played really well and the rest for me doesn’t matter.”
Santos about the results: “It was a well-deserved victory. The whole team did exactly what they said. We made it to the next round. Now we have to keep working to improve what we have to improve. I told his players during halftime that we have to play our game, play, perform with confidence. This is our game and we need to keep going. Tired numbers, others can come in, but there are 26 of them and they all can play. The important thing is that we won and we won well.”
Santos on whether he will rest his players for Friday’s match against South Korea: “The game is over, we have the qualifications, tomorrow I will calmly think about these things.”
Key stats (provided by ESPN Stats & Information)
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Bruno Fernandes scored his first World Cup goal in four career tournament appearances.
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Fernandes has been involved in four of the five goals Portugal have scored at this World Cup (2 goals, 2 assists).
Next
Portugal: Group H continues on Friday as Portugal take on South Korea at 10 a.m. ET. However, with the victory over Uruguay, Portugal won the right to the knockout round.
Uruguay: Likewise, Uruguay will face Ghana on Friday at 10 a.m. ET to wrap up the group stage. But with the loss to Portugal, they have to beat Ghana and see if the remaining Group H game at the same time helps their careers.
