Portugal exit 2018 FIFA World Cup

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Saturday Jun 30, 2018. 22:12

Portugal exited the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament following a 2-1 loss to Uruguay in the Last 16 on Saturday night at Fisht Stadium.

A brace through Edinson Cavani helped the South Americans to set up a date against France on Friday

The Portuguese were chasing an early goal and it was skipper Cristiano Ronaldo whose effort was swallowed by Fernando Muselra after some fancy footwork on the left wing in the fifth minute.

The South Americans made it 1-0 in the seventh minute through Cavani who finished with a neat header from a wonderful cross by Luis Suarez.

The 21st minute saw Suarez trying to beat Patricio from a free-kick in an aim to double their lead, but the keeper punched the ball away.

Although the Navigators fought hard for an equaliser, they could not break down the Uruguayan defence and it was 1-0 at half time.

The 2016 European champions had great touches in Uruguay’s box before Pepe rose high in the box to head home from a telling corner in the 55th minute, 1-1.

Cavani completed his brace seven minutes later with a fine finish resulting from a clever pass from the right wing, 2-1.

Although Fernando Santos’ men pushed forward for an equaliser, they failed to convert chances towards the last 15 minutes as they camped in Uruguay’s half.

Ronaldo led his teammates upfront together with Ricardo Quaresma and the substitute was denied by Muslera at the death as they also pushed Patricio forward.

The result allowed the South Americans to set up a date against France in the quarter-finals on Friday after the Les Bleus beat Argentina 4-3 earlier in the day

Uruguay: (1) 2 (Cavani 7’, 62’)
Portugal: (0) 1 (Pepe 55’)

Uruguay: Muslera, Godin, Caceres, Gimenez, Laxalt, Vecino, Nández (Sanchez 80’), Bentancur (Rodriguez 63’), Torreira, Suarez, Cavani (Stuani 73’)

Portugal: Patricio, Pereira, Guerreiro, Fonte, Pepe, Silva (Quaresma 65’), Mário (M. Fernandes 84’), Silva, Carvalho, Guedes (Silva 74’), Ronaldo