PORTUGAL came out victors against Uruguay and have sealed their place in the knockout stages of the World Cup with the victory.
Cristiano Ronaldo claimed that he netted the opener, running off to celebrate with it unclear as to whether he met Bruno Fernandes’ goal bound cross.
But Fifa officially awarded the goal to Fernandes – who added his second in additional time.
A penalty was given for handball on Jose Gimenez, which appeared to be harsh as the ball struck his hand when he dived in to win the ball.
It was an improved performance by the Uruguayans, who were unlucky not to score after registering several shots on target.
They have it all to do when they face Ghana in their final match of the group stages.
- Kick-off: 7pm
- TV channel: ITV
- Live stream: ITV X
- Portugal XI: Costa, Cancelo, Dias, Pepe, Mendes, Silva, Neves, Carvalho, Fernandes, Ronaldo, Felix
- Uruguay XI: Rochet, Coates, Godin, Gimenez, Varela, Valverde, Vecino, Bentancur, Olivera, Nunez, Cavani
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Goodnight from Lusail Iconic Stadium
That’s all from us on this Monday evening, and – sadly – that’s the end of games at four different times of the day.
From tomorrow, we enter the final round of group games with a pair of fixtures kicking-off simultaneously at both 3pm and 7pm.
Tuesday begins with the Group A contests where Netherlands, Ecuador and Senegal will be fighting it out for a place in the Last 16 before England and Wales take centre stage in the evening.
You won’t want to miss a kick, and you won’t with us here at SunSport.
Until then, thanks for joining us, and goodbye.
Extra! Read all about it!
Hot off the press, Dan King has filed his match report of Portugal’s 2-0 win against Uruguay at Lusail Iconic Stadium.
Ronaldo was initially credited with putting the faintest of touches on a Fernandes cross and moving one ahead of his Argentinian nemesis again after Messi’s goal at the other end of the pitch two nights before. His face when he looked up to the screen to see it had been awarded to the Manchester United man was a picture.
Dan King
Selecao soar through to knockouts
They’re yet to fully convince, but two wins from their opening two games means that are Portugal have made it through to the knockout stage with a game to spare.
Earlier today, Ghana’s surprise defeat of South Korea means it is the Black Stars in pole position to join them; a draw in their grudge game with Uruguay on Friday should be enough to see them through in second place.
- South Korea 2-3 Ghana
- Portugal 2-0 Uruguay
Final games on Friday:
- Ghana v Uruguay (3pm)
- South Korea v Portugal (3pm)
Credit: FIFA.Com
Friends fight over final touch
Cristiano Ronaldo embraced Bruno Fernandes at the final whistle and engaged in friendly debate as to who should be awarded Portugal’s opening goal.
The 37-year-old remains adamant that he got a slight and final touch on his teammate’s cross before it deceived Sergio Rochet.
If he doesn’t allow Ronaldo the goal, expect another bombshell interview with Piers Morgan soon.
Match stats from Lusail Stadium
Portugal just about edged this Group H clash, a contest that will be remembered for the controversy surrounding the award of the late penalty and the confusion regarding the identity of the first goalscorer.
Full time – Portugal 2-0 Uruguay
The final whistle goes and the Portuguese have sealed their place in the Last 16 with a group game to spare.
Bruno Fernandes was again responsible for the win, this time with a double, one of which came from the penalty spot, the other that was claimed by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Uruguay look a pale shadow of their sides from World Cups past, and must now be considering dumping some of the old guard.
Portugal 2-0 Uruguay
90+9. Fernandes again! Even closer this time as he strikes the base of the post!
The Portugal players are now knocking the ball around the Uruguay players for fun. Someone put them out of their misery, please.
Portugal 2-0 Uruguay
90+8. Fernandes almost bags a hat-trick in the final seconds!
A slick break against tired legs sees Ramos lift it over from the left for the Manchester United ace to meet first time at the back post with a volley kept out by the legs of Rochet.
Portugal 2-0 Uruguay
90+6. On the bench, the Uruguayan players not currently involved look shell-shocked.
They simply must beat Ghana on Friday now.
Portugal 2-0 Uruguay
90+3. There’s no debate as to whose goal this one is!
Bruno Fernandes is as cool as you like in netting his and Portugal’s second of the night.
The Manchester United star stuttered on his run up and waited for Sergio Rochet to commit himself before rolling the ball low to his right.
The Selecao are heading for the knockout stages!
Bruno at the double!
Portugal 1-0 Uruguay – Penalty to Portugal!
90. Sure enough, Alireza Faghani returns to the pitch and points to the spot.
The Uruguay players are furious, and for once, who can blame them?
Portugal 1-0 Uruguay – VAR Review!
89. Nevertheless, the Iranian referee has been told to go and check the incident on the pitchside monitor.
Bonkers.
Portugal 1-0 Uruguay
87. Bruno Fernandes executes a perfect nutmeg on a flailing defender, and almost wins a penalty for handball in the process.
The ball does flick off Gimenez’s arm as he goes to ground, but surely there’s little he could have done about it.
Portugal 1-0 Uruguay – Uruguay substitution
85. A final change for La Celeste sees Matias Vina on for the final five minutes.
The defender takes over from Mathias Olivera.
Portugal 1-0 Uruguay
84. Portugal have regrouped, and are looking to see this one out by sitting deep in front of the ball.
Can they see it out for only their second win against South American opposition at the World Cup?
Portugal 1-0 Uruguay – Portugal triple substitution
82. Another flurry of changes for the Portuguese.
Ronaldo – without a goal to his name – is off, along with Joao Felix and William Carvalho.
On come Fulham’s midfield machine, Joao Palhinha, and Matheus Nunes and Goncalo Ramos.
Portugal 1-0 Uruguay
80. Into the last ten minutes here, and Uruguay are pressing.
Fernando Santos knows as much, and sends for reinforcements.
Portugal 1-0 Uruguay
79. Another chance for Uruguay!
A lovely pass in behind the defence from Valverde has De Arrascaeta in the clear, but his first time attempt is weak and easily saved by Diogo Costa.
Portugal 1-0 Uruguay
78. Suarez! He should have scored!
The delivery from the set-piece into the area is a poor one, but the former Liverpool ace makes the most of the mis-hit cross.
He takes a good first touch to steady himself at the near post, but then whips the second straight into the side-netting.
Portugal 1-0 Uruguay – Joao Felix yellow card
77. Joao Felix is penalised and cautioned for a poor attempt at tracking back, and Uruguay have a chance to test the Portugal defence with a free-kick 35 yards out on the left.
Portugal 1-0 Uruguay
74. Off the post!
Pellistri has breathed new life into Uruguay, and it’s his direct play that opened up the opportunity for another substitute.
Gomez lets fly from 20 yards with one of his first involvements, and is unfortunate to see his strike crash back off the woodwork.
Portugal 1-0 Uruguay – Uruguay substitutions
72. Another double change from the South Americans.
Luis Suarez is on for the final proceedings alongside fellow forward Maxi Gomez.
Edinson Cavani and Darwin Nunez are replaced.
Portugal 1-0 Uruguay
70. Ronaldo moves inside the penalty area and goes does under the soft challenge of Coates.
The forward wants a penalty, but not for the first time, referee Alireza Faghani tells him to get up.
In ends a hilarious run of play where a dive at either end of the pitch is topped 30 seconds later by Ronaldo’s antics.
Portugal 1-0 Uruguay – Portugal substitution
68. The much-coveted Rafael Leao is on for his second substitute appearance at these finals.
The AC Milan youngster replaces Ruben Neves.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
