Portugal vs. Uruguay Highlights: Bruno Fernandes double sends Portugal to Round of 16 | Football news

NEW DELHI: Midfielder Bruno Fernandes scored a brace to assist Portugal defeat Uruguay 2-0 in their second Group H game of the FIFA world cup 2022 on Tuesday. The victory secured Portugal’s place in the Round of 16 with a game in hand, becoming only the third team after France and Brazil to qualify for the knockout stages.
Interestingly, after two rounds of group stage matches, only three teams have secured the last 16 places. And the final round of group matches will decide the remaining 13 places from the 27 teams still in contention. Host country Qatar and Canada are the only teams to have dropped out of the tournament so far.
As it happened | Schedule & Result | Points table
After a goalless first half, Fernandes put Portugal ahead with a goal in the 54th minute, which was initially claimed by Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo jumped near the box to hit Fernandes’ cross, but the ball went into the net without further contact. Fernandes then sealed the game with his second goal from a penalty, earned himself in stoppage time.
Portugal now have six points from two games, enough to secure a spot in the next round in Qatar. While Uruguay now needs a win against Ghana, who are in second place with three points, in their last group game on Friday. Portugal will also play against South Korea on Friday, with the latter still in contention for last place in the group.

The match in the spectacular capacity of 89,000 in Doha Lusail Stadium the first field invader of the Qatar tournament was also featured – the man wore messages of support for Ukraine and Iranian women and held a rainbow flag.
Both sides made three changes from their opening matches, with Portugal bringing in veteran Pepe for the injured Danilo Pereira, who suffered broken ribs in training.
Pepe became the third oldest outfield player in World Cup history.
Portugal dominated the first half, taking possession of the ball and creating several chances, but without ever putting the Uruguayan goalkeeper to the test Sergio Rochet.

Uruguay’s forwards, Edinson Cavani and Darwin Nunez had little possession, but the South Americans still had the best chance of the first period.
Rodrigo Bentancur picked up the ball in his own half and shot forward, slipping between two defenders and coming face to face with goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who spread well to save the midfielder’s shot.
Portugal’s captain Cristiano Ronaldo was largely anonymous in the first 45 minutes, but surprised the fans with a shoulder pass to single out William Carvalho, who volleyed over.
The big drama came after the break.

Moments after a field invader ran onto the field with an LGBTQ rainbow flag and a message in support of Ukraine and Iranian women on his T-shirt, only to be spectacularly tackled by security, Portugal moved forward.
Fernandes created space for himself on the left and curled a sweeping cross into the mixer, with Ronaldo breaking the offside trap to attempt a quick header.
As the ball lodged in goal, Ronaldo rolled away in celebration, but FIFA ruled he had not touched the ball, depriving him of a ninth World Cup goal, which would have put him level with Portuguese great Eusebio.
Uruguayan coach Diego Alonso brought in forwards Maxi Gomez and Luis Suarez as the South Americans began to apply some pressure late and both came close to equalising.
Gomez’s raspy drive from 20 yards came back off the post with Costa beaten, while Suarez hit the side net from close range.
With the 90 minutes almost over, Fernandes Gimenez made nutmeg, whose backhand guided the ball away from the midfielder and prevented him from going one-on-one with Rochet.
Iranian referee Alireza Faghani awarded the penalty after a VAR check and Fernandes sent Rochet the wrong way after his trademark hop, skip run-up.
He then nearly completed a hat-trick, but hit the post from 20 yards out.
(With input from agencies)