Portugal in the round of 16 – Because Uruguay’s super storm is still lame, the “Celeste” is worried – Sport

  • Portugal defeated Uruguay 2-0 in the second group match at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
  • The Lusitanians thus secured the round of 16 ticket in Group H ahead of time.
  • Bruno Fernandes is responsible for both goals.
  • In the other Group H game, Ghana beat South Korea 3-2.

Uruguay’s attack line-up is impressive: Darwin Nunez, Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez belonged to the crème de la crème of international football. Together, the trio scored almost 130 goals for the “Celeste”. But at the World Cup in Qatar, the goalscoring doesn’t really want to work out.

After the two-time world champion had not scored in the 0-0 draw against South Korea, this did not change against Portugal either. And this despite the fact that Uruguay significantly intensified their offensive actions after the break.

  • 75 minutes: Maxi Gomez, who has just come on as a substitute, circles the ball against the post. It is already the 3rd time that Uruguay has been unlucky for aluminum in Qatar.
  • 77 minutes: Suarez gets the ball after a free kick. The oldie just misses.
  • 78 minutes: There’s no time to catch your breath. Federico Valverde sends Giorgian de Arrascaeta on the trip, but the 28-year-old is denied by Portugal keeper Diogo Costa.

Because Rodrigo Bentancur had already failed before the break after a wonderful solo at Costa, the “Celeste” (alongside Mexico and Tunisia) is one of the 3 teams that is still without its own World Cup goal.

Opponent Portugal did better. Before the break, the 2016 European champions monopolized the ball, but rarely became dangerous. This changed immediately after the break. First, Joao Felix narrowly missed a counterattack (52′). Two minutes later, however, the time had come: After a cross from Bruno Fernandes, Cristiano Ronaldo irritated Uruguay keeper Sergio Rochet so much that the ball sailed into the net.

Fernandes misses the hat trick

The Manchester United player was again worried about the final score. Fernandes sunk a controversial hand penalty to make it 2-0 (90+3). He even missed the hat trick on two occasions just before the end.

“Methusalem” Pepe


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Portugal centre-back Pepe made a little piece of World Cup history at the finals in Qatar. The veteran started Portugal’s XI against Uruguay at the age of 39 years and 275 days, making him the third oldest outfield player to appear in a World Cup match. Only Cameroonian Roger Milla at the 1994 World Cup (42 years and 39 days) and Canada’s captain Atiba Hutchinson at the current World Cup (39 years and 293 days) were older. By far the oldest player when he last played at the World Cup is Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary. He was 45 years and 161 days old when he scored against Saudi Arabia in the 2018 World Cup match in Russia. (sid)

In the end, however, these were only side notes. The bottom line is Portugal’s early qualification for the round of 16. There is also a good chance that the Lusitanians will finish Group H as winners – either way, Portugal are a possible opponent of the Swiss national team should they also qualify for the knockout stage. However, everything is not perfect for the Portuguese: With Nuno Mendes, they already lamented the third injury-related absence at this World Cup. The PSG full-back left the pitch in tears just before half-time.

This is how it goes

Nothing is lost for Uruguay either. With a win against Ghana on the last day of the game you can still work your way into the round of 16. If South Korea doesn’t win against Portugal, the “Celeste” is through. The same applies in the event that the success of the “Celeste” turns out to be two goals clearer than a possible victory for South Korea against Portugal. The showdown for the round of 16 places in Group H will take place next Friday at 4:00 p.m.

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