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FIFA World Cup 2022: Portugal succeeds in revenge and promotion

Bruno Fernandes was responsible for the goals this time, and Ronaldo had sailed just past his cross, which sank into the goal (54′). In injury time, the Manchester United legionnaire then used a controversial hand penalty (93rd). Ronaldo, who normally takes penalties, was no longer on the field.

The victory was also okay because Uruguay did almost nothing for the offensive game in the first half – but strangely enough they still had the best chance through Rodrigo Bentancur (32nd). Maximiliano Gomez hit the bar when the score was 0-1, but Uruguay woke up too late. Finally, on Friday (4 p.m., live on ORF1) in Group H, Portugal (6 points) and South Korea (1) as well as Uruguay (1) and Ghana (3) will duel. The South Americans need a win.

Fernandes converts penalty (90th + 3rd minute)

After viewing the video images, referee Aliresa Faghani decides on a penalty. Bruno Fernandes comes on and scores for the second time of the evening to make it 2-0 for Portugal.

Two “oldies” move into the starting XI

Portugal boss Fernando Santos made three changes to his starting XI from the 3-2 win over Ghana. This is how the 39-year-old defender Pepe made his first World Cup appearance after Danilo Pereira broke three ribs. By the way, Pepe is the third oldest outfield player in World Cup history. Only Cameroon’s Roger Milla (42) and Qatar-based Canadian Atiba Hutchinson, who will soon be 40, were older.

APA/AFP/Odd Andersen

At 39 years and 275 days, Pepe is the third oldest outfield player in World Cup history

On the other side, a prominent “oldie” also moved into the starting line-up. 35-year-old striker Edinson Cavani, who gave Portugal a brace four years ago, replaced the same-aged Luis Suarez, who initially took a seat on the bench. The two-time world champion played 0-0 against South Korea in the opening game and is therefore still waiting for the first goal after the second game.

Portugal makes the game

In the first 45 minutes in front of around 88,000 fans, the 2016 European champions dominated the action, had around 70 percent possession of the ball, but initially didn’t find a good chance against Uruguay’s tightly staggered defence. The first action worth seeing was provided by the superstar on the field, Ronaldo, who used his teammate William Carvalho with his shoulder. He took full risk, but shot the ball well over the crossbar (3rd).

Ronaldo stages Carvalho (3rd minute)

Cristiano Ronaldo puts a shoulder on William Carvalho, but his volley goes wide of the goal.

In the early stages there were also many duels in midfield, which sometimes brought Rodrigo Bentancur an early yellow card. Portugal continued to increase their possession of the ball, but didn’t create any chances. Ronaldo put a free kick over the goal (18th).

Uruguay gives top chance

The game rippled along, the South Americans did nothing for the offensive game and waited for their chance. And after about half an hour there was that too: Betancur tanked up in midfield and came to the end in a duel with three Portuguese in the penalty area alone in front of goalie Diogo Costa. However, the attempt by a “Gurkerl” failed (32nd).

Bentancur fails after solo (32nd minute)

Rodrigo Bentancur walks through the Portuguese defender from his own half. Only Diogo Costa prevented the perfect conclusion of the individual action.

A goal for Uruguay would have turned the game on its head and they went into the catacombs goalless, not least because Ronaldo failed to hit the ball well in the last semi-threatening scene before half-time. Portugal had to make a substitution shortly before the end of the game due to injury, and team boss Santos brought on Raphael Guerreiro for Nuno Mendes.

Ronaldo misses ninth World Cup goal

After the change of sides, things didn’t change much at first, the first sign was set by a speedster with a rainbow flag. Joao Felix then brought color into play offensively, but his shot from the left landed in the side netting of the opponent’s goal (52′).

Cristiano Ronaldo in action before beating Uruguay 1-0

APA/AFP/Kirill Kudryavtsev

Even if it looks a bit like it here: Ronaldo was no longer on that cross that went into the goal

Two minutes later, Portugal did better as Fernandes whirled down the left and put the cross in the middle. Ronaldo, just offside, tried to head the ball into the corner but didn’t catch the ball. That didn’t matter, however, because the ball still went into the far corner for a well-deserved lead (54th). So Ronaldo still has to wait for his ninth World Cup goal, which is also Portugal’s World Cup record, held by Eusebio.

Uruguay still hits the bar

Now Uruguay had to give up their destructive game, and team manager Diego Alonso soon brought new forces onto the field, after about 70 minutes then old champion Luis Suarez. As time went on, the Uruguayans became stronger offensively and came closer to 1-1.

Gomez to the post (75th minute)

Maximiliano Gomez, who had just come on as a substitute, creates Uruguay’s greatest chance. His shot lands on the bar.

In the 75th minute, the South Americans were very close: Gomez, who came on with Suarez, got the ball in the penalty area and put it uncompromisingly on the right post. Three minutes later, the ball landed in front of Suarez’s feet from a free kick, who steered the ball into the side netting from very close range (78′).

excitement at the end

After that, Portugal was able to calm the game down again and finally play it at home. The referee team also helped: Jose Gimenez threw himself into a pass from Fernandes in the penalty area and got the ball on the supporting hand. Referee Aliresa Faghani of Iran allowed play to continue, but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervened and, to everyone’s astonishment, there was a penalty which Fernandes converted to the final.

Comments on the game:

Fernando Santos (Portugal Team Principal): “We won and fulfilled the plan I set out. We did well and now we will keep working.”

Bruno Fernandes (Portugal double goalscorer): “We made it and we are very happy. Now we have to win again, then we’ll be first. That was our goal, we want to win the group. We’re a tight team, that’s the important thing. We stand together. It doesn’t matter who scores the goal. It was important for all of us that we shot it.”

FIFA World Cup 2022, Group H, second match day

Montag:

Portugal – Uruguay 2:0 (0:0)

Lusail, Lusail Iconic Stadium, 88,668 spectators, SR Faghani/IRN

Portugal: Costa – Cancelo, Pepe, Dias, Mendes (42./Warrior) – Neves (69./Leao), William Carvalho (82. Palhinha) – B. Silva, B. Fernandes, Felix (82./Nunes) – C. Ronaldo (82./Branches)

Uruguay: Rochet – Gimenez, Godin (62./Pellistri), Coates – Varela, Valverde, Bentancur, Vecino (62./De Arrascaeta), Olivera (86./Vina) – Cavani (73./Suarez), Nunez (72./ Gomez)

Yellow cards: Neves, Felix, Dias and Betancur, Oliver

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