FIFA World Cup: Portugal are the third team to advance to the knockouts
Portugal sealed their spot in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2022 by defeating Uruguay 2-0 in their second Group H match on Monday. After Spain and Brazil, they are the third team to have made it past the group stage
Portugal 2-0 UruguayBruno Fernandes scored a brace to help his team win the match. His first goal arrived in the 54th minute when his cross flew past goalkeeper Sergio Rochet.
The goalkeeper couldn't act on time as Cristiano Ronaldo gestured to head the ball, believing he had scored his ninth World Cup goal and second of the 2022 edition.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Did Cristiano Ronaldo get a touch? 👀 <a href="https://t.co/y7RkN5OXgL">pic.twitter.com/y7RkN5OXgL</a></p>— GOAL (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1597324430707167233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
After close examination, it was awarded to Bruno Fernandes, who sent it into the far corner of the net in the 54th minute earning a 1-0 lead for Portugal. The midfielder netted once again from the penalty spot in stoppage time as a result of a handball by Jose Maria Gimenez following a video review.
The Europeans dominated possession throughout the match before Fernandes put them in the lead. Uruguay, who had beaten Portugal and knocked them out of the previous edition, squandered multiple chances.
Midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur eluded three players only to have his shot blocked while Maxi Gomez's ball struck the post, and Luis Suarez launched the ball into the side netting.
Portugal's second win in two games lands them on the top of Group H with six points as they head into the last 16. Meanwhile, Uruguay, who have three points out of two matches, must beat Ghana in their previous group game to continue their bid to win the World Cup.
The Portugal star was absent for two matches due to an injury
Portugal midfielder Danilo Pereira will miss the remainder of the 2022 FIFA World Cup group stage following a grave injury to his ribs. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder broke three ribs in training before their clash against Uruguay and was ruled out from the last two group-stage matches.
"Danilo Pereira is forfeited for the group stage with Portugal! He injured himself in training and suffers from a fracture of three coastal arcs on the right."
Pereira had 90 minutes of game time in his team's 3-2 win over Ghana in their campaign opener on November 24. Pereira has clinched 64 caps for Portugal, having won the 2016 Euros and the 2019 UEFA Nations League.
The Cristiano Ronaldo-led side had the upper hand against Ghana, but the match was alarmingly progressing to a draw. After the first half, Cristiano Ronaldo received a penalty for being challenged, but the African side responded with an Andre Ayew goal.
Portugal then netted through Joao Felix and Rafael Leao, but Osman Bukari's 89th-minute goal kept Ghana in the game. Coach Fernando Santos was heartbroken about the chances conceded by Portugal and said that the scoreline didn't make sense.
Now that they've moved on to the last 16, Portugal will aim to improve defensive performance. However, Pereira's absence could make things difficult for them.