Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has won the next World Cup with Portugal and is prematurely in the knockout stages. The Selecao won 2-0 (0-0) against Uruguay, making it past the group stage for the fifth time in World Cup history.
Bruno Fernandes (54′) scored to give Portugal the lead after Ronaldo had already celebrated his ninth World Cup goal – but the attacker probably didn’t extend the ball into the net with his head. At the second goal, again by Fernandes (90 + 3 / hand penalty), Ronaldo was already substituted.
After the 3-2 win against Ghana, Portugal can no longer be pushed out of one of the top two places in Group H and is the third team in the round of 16 after France and Brazil. Coach Fernando Santos’ team is enough for the end of the preliminary round on Friday a point against South Korea sure to win the group. Uruguay absolutely must win against Ghana.
Ronaldo is making his fifth attempt at the greatest of all football titles – and has to apply for a new job on the side. A week after the dirty separation from Manchester United, “CR7” – proud 37 years old – took center stage again, with a shoulder assist. But the direct acceptance of William Carvalho (4th) landed over the goal.
Portugal is leading the game, Uruguay is chasing
The ambitious man was always trying, went a long way, but often acted without luck. Ronaldo, the first player ever to score goals in five World Cups, rarely set any real accents. He missed Fernandes’ cross by a hair’s breadth.
In front of 88,668 spectators at the Lusail Stadium – where the grand final will take place on December 18 – Portugal had to change their defense. Oldie Pepe played for Danilo Pereira (three fractured ribs), but the defensive was not really challenged for a long time. Uruguay used Darwin Núnez and Edinson Cavani up front this time, with Luis Suárez initially on the bench.
However, the initiative clearly lay with the Portuguese, the 2016 European champions had around 70 percent possession of the ball at the top and let Uruguay run. Out of nowhere, Rodrigo Bentancur had the first really good chance of the game after a great dribbling for “La Celeste” (die Himmelblauen) (32′).
Speedster with rainbow flag on the field
But of course Portugal deserved the 1-0 lead. Ronaldo was happy to have drawn level with Portugal legend Eusebio after scoring World Cup goals – but then, according to the TV pictures, FIFA gave Fernandes the goal. After that, Uruguay woke up a bit, Maxi Gomez hit the post (75′), substitute Suárez hit the side netting (78′). The final minutes belonged to Fernandes, who could have scored three or four goals.
A streaker demonstrating for human rights with a rainbow flag caused a stir. Wearing a Superman shirt with the words “Save Ukraine” and “Respect for Iranian Woman” written on it, he held the flag in the air while fleeing several stewards. Shortly thereafter he was arrested and taken away.