Portugal 2-0 Uruguay: Fernando Santos' side seal World Cup progress and maintain winning start thanks to Bruno Fernandes' double... but should opening goal have been Cristiano Ronaldo's?
- Portugal are through to the last-16 of the World Cup after Bruno Fernandes scores twice against Uruguay
- Cristiano Ronaldo thought he had faintly headed Portugal in front but goal was credited to his team-mate
- Fernandes then netted a controversial stoppage time penalty to cement Portugal's place in the last-16
- Jose Gimenez accidently handled the ball going to ground after being nutmegged by Fernandes
- Uruguay must now beat Ghana to progress beyond Group H having picked up just one point so far in Qatar
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
The image of a smiling Bruno Fernandes flashed up on the big screens and a groan of disappointment washed around the stadium.
Just in case there was any confusion about who and what they were all here to see. It wasn't poor old Bruno.
They were here to Cristiano Ronaldo. They were here to see him score a goal in the Lusail Stadium, the venue for this year's World Cup final.
![Bruno Fernandes celebrates his stoppage time penalty that helped fire Portugal to a 2-0 victory over Uruguay in Group H](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/28/21/65022761-11470023-image-a-59_1669669721655.jpg)
Bruno Fernandes celebrates his stoppage time penalty that helped fire Portugal to a 2-0 victory over Uruguay in Group H
![Fernandes's spot-kick sent the keeper the wrong way at the Lusail Stadium as Portugal booked their spot in the last-16](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/28/21/65022745-11470023-image-a-68_1669669991105.jpg)
Fernandes's spot-kick sent the keeper the wrong way at the Lusail Stadium as Portugal booked their spot in the last-16
![Portugal are one of three teams to have already secured their place in the knock-out round still with one match to spare](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/28/21/65022939-11470023-image-a-71_1669669998354.jpg)
Portugal are one of three teams to have already secured their place in the knock-out round still with one match to spare
The shimmering boat built for show. A spiritual home for show-boaters of the world to unite and take over.
Lionel Messi brought down the house here on Saturday night. Anything Messi can do Ronaldo can do, right? Well, it seemed so on 54 minutes, when Fernandes clipped the ball over from Portugal's left, and Ronaldo sprang and applied the faintest of glancing headers.
Off he sprinted to celebrate as it settled in the net, biceps bulging and fists pumping, although he did refrain from the full-scale spring and pirouette affair, which may have been the first hint that he knew he had not made contact.
![Cristiano Ronaldo claimed to have headed Portugal in front after attacking a Fernandes cross in the second half of the match](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/28/21/65021679-11470023-image-a-72_1669670116061.jpg)
Cristiano Ronaldo claimed to have headed Portugal in front after attacking a Fernandes cross in the second half of the match
![The former Manchester United forward was convinced he had got a touch and was initially credited with the opening goal](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/28/21/65021663-11470023-image-a-74_1669670122762.jpg)
The former Manchester United forward was convinced he had got a touch and was initially credited with the opening goal
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/28/22/65026201-11470023-image-m-10_1669674929052.jpg)
However despite his celebrations, FIFA officials soon credited Portugal's opening goal to his team-mate Fernandes
At this tournament, FIFA are using an Adidas ball containing a sensor as part of the semi-automated offside technology.
It can detect the slightest touch so someone, somewhere knew whose goal it truly was.
They awarded it to Fernandes, who later said, 'I celebrated as if it had been Cristiano's goal.
'It seemed to me that he had touched the ball. My aim was to cross the ball for him. We are happy with the victory regardless of who scored.
'The most important thing is that we achieved our aim, which is to be in the next round.'
The goal set Portugal on track to a win that secured them a place in the last 16, avenging a World Cup exit four years ago at the hands of Uruguay, who must now beat Ghana on Friday to avoid elimination.
Ghana, too, will be in the revenge business, casting minds back to a notorious quarter-final defeat featuring a Luis Suarez handball in 2010.
At the Lusail, Fernandes went on to score his second of the night, a penalty generously awarded for handball after a VAR referral in stoppage time. Ronaldo couldn't claim this one.
He was resting on the bench, otherwise he would surely have stepped up to thrill the crowd close to 89,000, many of whom devoured his every move from his strutting warm-up and his early involvements, including an extravagant shoulder pass and a towering header.
In truth, Ronaldo has never been far from the centre of attention since this tournament began.
He arrived in an interview storm, was released by Manchester United this time last week and scored Portugal's first of the tournament, making him the first man to score in five World Cups.
There were shrieks in the stands when he performed a couple of unnecessary step-overs near a corner flag and wobbled his leg, reminiscent of Elvis mania.
The best performers know their audience and here he was peacocking through the party hits and there was little else to tempt the paying public from their expensive seats during a cautious, disjointed and niggly opening phase played out at a pedestrian tempo.
![Ronaldo was substituted late in the second half by manager Fernando Santos following a strong display in attack](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/28/21/65023367-11470023-image-a-78_1669670162745.jpg)
Ronaldo was substituted late in the second half by manager Fernando Santos following a strong display in attack
![The forward was all smiles at the final whistle as he celebrates Portugal's progression along with match winner Fernandes](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/28/21/65023337-11470023-image-a-81_1669670168162.jpg)
The forward was all smiles at the final whistle as he celebrates Portugal's progression along with match winner Fernandes
Rodrigo Bentancur created the best chance of the first half for himself, carrying the ball from inside his own half, jinking between two tackles into the Portugal penalty area and breaking through onto the goalkeeper.
Bentancur scored four in his last five Premier League games for Tottenham but could not find a way past 'keeper Diogo Costa on this occasion. Costa made the block with his legs.
Veteran defender Pepe returned to Portugal's back four at the age of 39 as a replacement for Danilo Pereira who broke ribs in training and is ruled out of the group stage.
![Fernandes was a star man for Portugal, even winning their late penalty after a handball from Uruguay's Jose Gimenez](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/28/21/65022707-11470023-image-a-83_1669670180561.jpg)
Fernandes was a star man for Portugal, even winning their late penalty after a handball from Uruguay's Jose Gimenez
![The decision to award Portugal a late penalty was a controversial one, with Gimenez's arm action seemingly innocuous](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/28/21/65022721-11470023-image-a-85_1669670182922.jpg)
The decision to award Portugal a late penalty was a controversial one, with Gimenez's arm action seemingly innocuous
![Luis Suarez came off the bench for Uruguay but couldn't make an impact after snatching wide with a near post shot](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/28/21/65022391-11470023-image-a-87_1669670190050.jpg)
Luis Suarez came off the bench for Uruguay but couldn't make an impact after snatching wide with a near post shot
There was another injury blow when left back Nuno Mendes was hurt before half time and limped off in tears.
Joao Felix wasted Portugal's first real opportunity, soon after a pitch invader carrying a rainbow flag interrupted proceedings, but they went ahead thanks to the Fernandes cross not headed in by Ronaldo.
Belatedly, Uruguay took a few risks, improved and went close to an equaliser.
![Uruguay's best chance fell to Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur in the first half, who was denied trying to nutmeg Diogo Costa](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/28/21/65020657-11470023-image-a-89_1669670202131.jpg)
Uruguay's best chance fell to Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur in the first half, who was denied trying to nutmeg Diogo Costa
![Portugal though will have injury concerns for the last-16 though with Nuno Mendes having to limp off in the first half](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/28/21/65020855-11470023-image-a-91_1669670307542.jpg)
Portugal though will have injury concerns for the last-16 though with Nuno Mendes having to limp off in the first half
![Portugal dominated much of the match but Uruguay lacked a clinical edge in front of goal - graphic from Sofascore](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/28/21/65023625-11470023-image-a-93_1669670628422.jpg)
Portugal dominated much of the match but Uruguay lacked a clinical edge in front of goal - graphic from Sofascore
Maxi Gomez rattled a post with a fierce shot. Suarez, on as a sub, hit the side netting. Giorgian de Arrascaeta forced a fine save from Costa.
Then Fernandes settled it with his second, converted from the spot in his usual nerveless fashion, and twice, went close to a hat-trick. A volley at the back post saved the feet of goalkeeper Sergio Rochet and a low drive that bounced wide off a post.
Nobody was groaning by the end, and there was even a message of solidarity from his captain on social media. 'We are in the round of 16 of the World Cup,' said Ronaldo. 'Great job team. Against an opponent of great merit, we asserted our strength and quality. Let's go. We are in the fight and our dream is alive.'
RE-LIVE ALL THE ACTION AS IT HAPPENED...
Follow Sportsmail's live blog for the World Cup Group H clash between Portugal and Uruguay.
Portugal are through to the last-16
90+9min: And a minute later Leao tees up Fernandes where his drive smashes off the face of the post. What an evening he has had.
90+8min: Very nearly a hat-trick for Bruno Fernandes! A counter sees a ball lofted to him at the far post but his volley is well pushed behind by the keeper.
90+3min: Portugal are heading for the last-16, with Bruno Fernandes' hop, skip and jump penalty doubling their lead. Smiles from Ronaldo on the bench.
90+1min: Meanwhile, we have entered nine minutes of time added on - expect a bit more too.
88min: Penalty for Portugal and it looks harsh to me. Bruno Fernandes nutmegs Jose Gimenez who with his trailing hand accidently blocks the ball.
After a VAR check the referee changes his mind of play on to award a penalty. No Ronaldo on the pitch of course...
85min: Matias Vina is on for Olivera as Uruguay continue to press for an equaliser.
82min: Off go Felix, Ronaldo, and Carvalho as Matheus Nunes, Goncalo Ramos and Joao Palhinha replace them to try and inject some life back into this Portugal team who have lapsed since going in front.
81min: ANOTHER Uruguay chance! This time Giorgian de Arrascaeta makes a cracking run to split the Portugal defenders but one-on-one with Costa he freezes and is fumbled by the keeper.
78min: Now Luis Suarez should be scoring! A free-kick finds him at the near post but after getting the ball out of his feet he very surprisingly can only stab wide. The amount of time we have seen him bury those over the years...
75min: And so nearly Maxi Gomez makes an instant impact! He picks up the ball on the edge of the box and with a snapshot rattles the post with Diogo Costa well beaten.
73min: A bit late for me, but Luis Suarez is finally on the pitch as along with Maxi Gomez they replace Edinson Cavani and Darwin Nunez.
69min: Second change for Portugal as Rafael Leao is on in place of Neves. That's a popular introduction judging by the cheers of the Portuguese fans.
Not according to FIFA anymore, they have now awarded it to Bruno Fernandes!
65min: Meanwhile Costa, who nearly gifted Ghana a stoppage time equaliser in the previous game, is up to his old tricks again. With his clearance hitting a Uruguay attacker before looping over the bar.
62min: Two changes for Uruguay as Diego Godin and Matis Vecino are replaced by Facundo Pellistri and Giorgian de Arrascaeta.
57min: Looks like the stadium announcer isn't convinced by Ronaldo's claim either. They have given the goal to Fernandes. FIFA though are sticking with Ronaldo.
54min: I'm still not convinced he has scored it - but FIFA have credited him with it and that takes him above Eusebio as Portugal's greatest goal scorer at a World Cup.
Meanwhile, Darwin Nunez trips the forward to prevent him doubling the lead.
54min: Bruno Fernandes plays a brilliant chipped ball into the box and there to attack it with the faintest of touches (I'm still not sure he touched it, personally!) is Cristiano Ronaldo to head home across goal.
Uruguay want offside but Guillermo Varela was playing him onside.
51min: After a pitch invader with a LGBT flag invades the pitch (brave time and place to do that) Portugal have a good chance to open the scoring with Joao Felix, who after charging in from the left can only fire wide into the outside of the side netting.
48min: Given what Rodrigo Bentancur was booked for in the first half, I'm surprised we haven't had another here - and even a red!
Matias Vecino is very late as he clatters into Ruben Neves, while Olivera, on a yellow, also gets away with it after charging into an opposing player.
So, so close from Bentancur to create an iconic World Cup moment.
...so let's turn to art - what a picture this is.
Two old teams playing at walking pace (walking football, anyone?) was perhaps how this first half at least was always going to go.
We've had a few moments though including Ronaldo's shoulder pass and Bentancur turning into Diego Maradona for about 30 seconds. So I do have hope this game can improve in the second half.
45min: Most ridiculous yellow card of the tournament? That goes to Mathias Olivera who blocks a Bruno Fernandes from point-blank range even though there was not threat of a counter attack. There will be three added minutes
42min: Portugal have been forced into a change at the back, with Nuno Mendes looking close to tears as he limps off to be replaced by Raphael Guerreiro.
39min: As Uruguay start to get on top, Portugal get their first booking - with Ruben Neves cautioned for tripping Guillermo Valera 35 yards out to the right.
36min: Bentancur is at the heart of everything Uruguay have done this evening. Now he tees up Darwin Nunez at the near post but the Liverpool striker's first touch is dreadful as it bounces off him and out for a goal kick.
33min: Goodness me, absolutely nothing from Uruguay... then they nearly score one of the great World Cup goals.
Rodrigo Bentancur starts his run from the halfway line, surging forward before beating two centre-backs at the same time to go one-on-one with Diogo Costa. He tries to nutmeg him, but there is just too much height on his low drive and it allows Costa to save.
30min: Uruguay's best spell and by best spell I mean they have enjoyed a few passes in the midfield. Do something, someone...
27min: As you were, just now even Portugal are looking to take a breather as they allow Uruguay to have the ball.
24min: Given the amount of players near their 40s on the pitch, it's perhaps not surprising there is not a lot of tempo to this game. Portugal though remain the only team who look like having any sort of attempt to actually win this game though with Uruguay still hardly seeing the ball.
21min: Luis Suarez or not, Uruguay can't get going. Portugal enjoying much of the early play and causing a threat too. Even Ronaldo is looking like his younger self here with his movement giving the South American side a few headaches.
18min: ...but Ronaldo's strike hits the wall and goes out for a corner. When was the last time he scored a free-kick? Genuine question, that.
18min: Another chance as Joao Felix sees a shot charged down for a corner, and Uruguay don't really clear their lines from it - instead giving away a free-kick 25 yards. You know who stands over...
15min: If you haven't already it might be worth checking odds on Bentancur getting sent off. Already in the book, he has just brought down Dias again and is treading a rather fine line as he shares quite a heated discussion with the referee.
12min: At the other end, Jose Gimenez nods over with a looping effort following a corner.
9min: Quite a few attempts on goal early on, with Bruno Fernandes now dragging wide for Portugal.
6min: Already a booking, with Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur seeing yellow for a late challenge on Ruben Dias. Bit harsh for me even if it was a foul.
3min: Both sides with early sights of goal. Mathias Olivera fires over with a snap shot for Uruguay while William Carvalho also blasts over following a lovely cushioned cut back by Cristiano Ronaldo using his shoulder.
Portugal: Costa, Joao Cancelo, Dias, Pepe, Nuno Mendes, Bernardo Silva, Neves, William Carvalho, Bruno Fernandes, Ronaldo, Joao Felix.
Subs: Rui Patricio, Dalot, Guerreiro, Joao Palhinha, Andre Silva, Jose Sa, Leao, Vitinha, Joao Mario, Ricardo Horta, Matheus Luiz, Silva, Goncalo Ramos.
Uruguay: Rochet, Coates, Godin, Gimenez, Varela, Valverde, Vecino, Bentancur, Olivera, Nunez, Cavani.
Subs: Muslera, De la Cruz, Pellistri, Suarez, De Arrascaeta, Sosa, Torreira, Vina, Gomez, Torres, Caceres, Canobbio, Ugarte, Luis Rodriguez.
We touched on this earlier, but a win for Portugal would see them join Brazil and France in the last-16. Uruguay though are more desperate for the win following their draw with South Korea and need three points to ensure they have an advantage over Ghana ahead of their final day decider.
Out come the players...
Uruguay's reserve goalkeeper Sebastian Sosa is the chap with the rather interesting hairstyle...
One more result to bring you from today and that's Brazil leaving it late to defeat Switzerland - a result that means that along with France they are the only teams through to the last-16 having played two games... at the moment.
Uruguay made the brave call with Suarez, but Portugal have stuck with their veteran in Cristiano Ronaldo. Mail on Sunday's chief sports writer OLIVER HOLT though believes that Portugal though have made the wrong call...
Danio Pereira's fractured ribs mean he makes way for Pepe while William comes in for Raphael Guerreiro and Nuno Mendes replaces Otavio.
He may not have a shirt in the changing room, but he is at the Lusail Stadium and is officially on the sub's bench. No official pics to confirm that but I can assure you he at least stepped off the team bus.
Costa, Pepe, Dias, Mendes, Cancelo, Silva, William, Neves, Fernandes, Ronaldo, Felix
Uruguay make three changes with Suarez dropped to make way for Edinson Cavani, while Sebastian Coates comes in for Martin Cacares and Guillermo Varela comes in for Facundo Pellistri. It's looking like a defensive focus for Uruguay.
Maybe Uruguay have taken on Danny Murphy's advice?
Still no team news from the Uruguay camp - and still no sign of Suarez's match shirt in the changing room. Maybe they just lost it?
So to get you in the mood, here are some highlights from their meeting at the last World Cup where Uruguay triumphed.
I know it sounds bizarre but where is his match shirt here? Does he have his own changing room? From what I can see we have a full picture of the shirt numbers on display so where is his No 9?
The flip-flops (sliders, to some of you... debate for another day) I can allow as they are not in the middle of the floor.
Looks like a change strip for Uruguay today though.
What's Cristiano Ronaldo been up to this week? Quite the opposite of what he was doing at Manchester United really, as he has been organising and paying for his team-mates' dinner with nights out.
Not everyone was present though.
Click below for more
I'll cut straight to it, it's the boots basically being in the middle of the floor. Just no need for that. Get them out of the way! Better yet, make the players have to bring them to the ground themselves in a vintage mud-stained boot bag.
These teams have met three times before but just once where we really care - and by that I mean two of those games were of a friendly from 1966 before the World Cup and another six years later in a minor tournament to celebrate Brazil's 150 years of independence.
So they have only played each other once in modern times and that just happened to be at the last World Cup where Uruguay knocked Portugal out of the last-16 in Russia.
Edinson Cavani gave the South American side the lead before Pepe equalised in the second half, only for Cavani to then net again to seal a quarter-final spot.
Ronaldo didn't take it well...
Here is the latest news from the Portugal camp by the way, with the news Danilo Pereira is likely to miss out tonight (and later in the week against South Korea) due to fractured ribs.
It could allow Pepe to come into the side and that would displace Ronaldo as the 'old man' of the team. Astonishing he can still hack it at elite level as a centre-back at the age of 39. Or can he? We may find out soon enough...
We haven't even kicked off the Brazil game yet, and already we have one eye on the next one at the Lusail Stadium as staff get the FIFA branding in place on the pitch. You have got to love a World Cup.
I jest of course, but in a sea of desert, sand and concrete - I'd almost forgotten what a tree looked like during this World Cup. Where did they find those on their pre-match walk earlier today?
First up before tonight's game is Brazil's clash with Switzerland which you can follow on the link below for our live coverage. It won't affect tonight's game in any way but do remember the winner of Group H (that's us, folks) take on the runner-up in Group G and vice-versa do it will be worth keeping an eye on.
Before we go knee deep into Portugal vs Uruguay, may I also remind you of the first game of today between Cameroon and Serbia.
It's already set the tone for the day's drama with a thrilling 3-3 contest that you may argue has been game of the tournament so far? Check out all the details of the clash below...
Portugal only need a win to progress to the last-16 and three points would also go a long way to securing their place in the next round as group winners.
Uruguay though now have to win this evening to ensure they can go into their final match with Ghana with the knowledge that a draw could take them into the last-16 at the Black Stars' expense. A draw or a defeat this evening and they enter their final game in must-win territory.
And what a barnstormer it was! Ghana went 2-0 up against South Korea before being pegged back at the start of the second half... only to then re-take the lead.
The action didn't even end at the final whistle, with Premier League referee Anthony Taylor sending off the South Korea manager.
Click below for more details on that crazy game.
Are we saving the best until last? Possibly given the way this day has already played out (more on that in a moment) but we have some big hitters involved too as Cristiano Ronaldo and friends (AKA Portugal) face Uruguay, which on paper at least should be the highlight of this group.
Either way good afternoon all and welcome to our live action of the 7pm kick-off.
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