…Sweet revenge for their elimination at the 2018 World Cup
Bruno Fernandez of Portugal played a yeoman’s job as his brace pushed his team into the Knockout stage of the Qatar world cup. Score Board read Portugal 2 Uruguay 0. Uruguay eliminated Portugal at the last 2018 world cup games 2-1.
Portugal deems Black Stars of Ghana 3-2 in Group H match
Bruno kicked a lob into the net but it was initially credited to Cristiano Ronaldo who was thought to have headed in the ball at the 54th minute but the Abdullah Al Marri led VAR team changed the credit to Bruno Fernandez.
Bruno would have been the first player to score a hat trick in the tournament because his six shots were terribly dangerous but at 90+3 minute with Ronaldo already substituted to go and rest he neatly tucked in a penalty kick to make Portugal win 2-0.
Ref Alireza Feghani of Iran who handled the match was very vigilant watching for time wasting and diving tactics. He was in charge of the Brazil versus Serbia match where Brazil won 2-0.
The match was highly tactical as Portugal played the attacking formula from all fronts using cross passes to harass the Uruguay team. Peppe was a great Defence Minister to watch as he controlled the game from the rear floating passes to Ronaldo and Bruno. There were 10 fouls for Portugal with 3 yellows while Uruguay had 16 fouls and 2 yellow cards.
Portugal had trashed Ghana 3-2 and Uruguay played goalless with South Korea in the first round. So Portugal qualifies for next round even before the 3rd round match having 6 points with +3 goals difference; Ghana is 2nd with 3 points and zero GD; Korea is 3rd with one point and -1 GD while Uruguay down the table with one point and -2 GD. France, Brazil and Portugal are early arrivals to the round of 16 class but who will go with Portugal from this group?
Friday 2nd December is the deciding day as Ghana will meet old foes Uruguay and South Korea will play Portugal both at 4pm.
Eniola Olatunji reporting.
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