FIFA World Cup 2022: Cristiano Ronaldo snorted in celebration, acting as if he had scored yet again at the World Cup. Not this time. Instead, Bruno Fernandes was eventually credited with the winning goal in a 2-0 win over Uruguay on Monday (Nov 28), advancing the team to the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Fernandez curled in a cross from the left over the head of a diving Ronaldo and into the far corner of the net in the 54th minute to give Portugal a 1-0 lead. As several close-up replays were shown on the big screens at the Lucille Stadium, a smiling Ronaldo threw his arms in the air to signal he had scored the final touch and embraced Fernandez.
Alas for Ronaldo, the goal was awarded to Fernandez, who was awarded a penalty in stoppage time after a sliding Jose Maria Gimenez handball to challenge the Manchester United playmaker. Added a second from the spot.
“I don’t think it really matters who scored the first goal,” Fernandez said of the first goal. important thing is that we went into the next round and beat a much bigger opponent.”Fernandes was denied a hat-trick with the last kick of the game when his shot from outside the area hit the post and bounced wide.
With a 3-2 win over Ghana, Portugal became the third team to reach the last 16 after France and Brazil. Uruguay has a point from two matches and must beat Ghana on Friday to have any chance of advancing. The 2010 semifinalists are yet to score at the tournament, with coach Diego Alonso looking for the right combination with 35-year-old striker Luis Suarez on the bench.
Portugal has no such worries. The team scored five goals in two games and Fernandez was the team’s no. He had a hand in four of them as his role was dictated as 10. Ronaldo was unable to add to his penalty against Ghana, which took his World Cup tally to eight goals in five tournaments and his men’s international goals record to 118.
He was still the center of attention, however, brightening up a lackluster first half. Ronaldo will be hoping to return to the final on December 18, with a flurry of tricks and flicks from the crowd inside the World Cup’s biggest venue.
There was a booming layoff with his right arm for teammate William Carvalho to volley over in the opening minutes. There is a double step-over and a no-look pass that is nothing but showboating. Impressive chest control came as he jumped to meet a cross towards the far post.
Ronaldo is now guaranteed to play at least two matches in his final World Cup and the fourth time in his career in the knockout stages. A draw against South Korea in their final Group H match would see Portugal secure the top spot and avoid a last-16 meeting with Brazil.
As for Uruguay, it was a must-win game against Ghana – a repeat of the 2010 quarterfinal match the South American side won in a penalty shootout when Suarez was sent off for a handball on the line in extra-time stoppage time.
After impressing off the bench against Portugal, Suarez could be recalled for that game as fellow substitute Maxi Gomez curled a shot wide of the post. “We should gamble more. We have to be a bold team,’ Alonso said.
The match was briefly interrupted before the goal by a protester holding a rainbow flag and wearing a blue Superman T-shirt with the words “Save Ukraine” on the front and “Respect for the Iranian woman” on the back. Security officers chased the protesters and threw the flag onto the field.
Portugal defender Pepe became the second-oldest outfield player to play at the World Cup at the age of 39. Roger Milla was 42 when he played for Cameroon at the 1994 tournament. Portugal left-back Nuno Mendes collapsed on the field in the 40th minute and immediately broke down in tears with a match-ending injury.
He was able to walk off the field unassisted and was replaced by another left-back in the Portugal squad, Rafael Guerrero.