LUSAIL, Qatar — Bruno Fernandes overshadowed Cristiano Ronaldo by scoring both goals for Portugal on Monday as a 2-0 win against Uruguay sealed a place in the 2022 World Cup’s knockout round for the 2016 European champions.
In a hard-fought game at Lusail Stadium, Fernandes made the key difference for Portugal as Uruguay’s loss left them at the bottom of Group H and needing to win against Ghana in their final game to have any hope of qualifying for the next stage.
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Rapid reaction
1. Portugal prove they are a top team in Qatar
Portugal joined France and Brazil by securing their place in the Round of 16 at Qatar 2022, but while those two football heavyweights are among the favourites to win the World Cup, nobody should underestimate this Portugal team.
They were able to overcome a stubborn Uruguay, who offered little going forward, by winning without relying on the goals of Ronaldo. And but for a last minute strike that hit the post, Manchester United‘s Fernandes would have become the first player to score a hat-trick in Qatar.
Fernandes, a midfielder, is just one of those Portugal players who are stars in their own right but too often overshadowed by Ronaldo. Portugal also have Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao, Joao Felix and top-class defenders such as Ruben Dias and the experienced veteran Pepe.
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Portugal are always a contender at major tournaments and a threat to more fancied nations, but their only international success to date was at Euro 2016.
Yet as the World Cup moves into the knockout stages, Portugal are a team to be avoided by the top sides because they are capable of beating anyone and could go all the way and win the World Cup this time around.
2. Ronaldo’s desire for goals turns sneaky
Ronaldo hasn’t scored over 800 career goals without an intense desire to stick the ball into the net, but he went so far as trying to sneakily claim one he didn’t score against Uruguay.
The 37-year-old, now without a club following his acrimonious exit from Manchester United last week, became the first player to score in five World Cup tournaments when he netted a penalty in the 3-2 win against Ghana in Portugal‘s opening game in Qatar.
But he also tried to deny Fernandes the opening goal in this game against Uruguay by reacting to the 54th minute strike by celebrating as though he had headed in the midfielder’s cross.
