Uruguay have advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, picking up a 2-1 victory over Portugal on a humid night in Sochi.
Edinson Cavani was the star, finishing two wonderful goals for the South American nation, but they had a complete team effort with their defence coming through big under pressure.
Portugal, if you were watching without a scoreboard, dominated the game. They had nearly 70 per cent possession, great field position and 20 shots with ten corners, but could only make one goal count through a Pepe header in the 55th minute.
Uruguay will now take on France in the quarter-finals on Saturday morning (AEST).
Final score
Uruguay 2
Portugal 1
In one of the more unpredictable round of 16 games at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Uruguay take on Portugal in Sochi. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the match from 4am (AEST).
Neither team performed to pre-tournament expectation during the group stage, even if Uruguay did win all of their matches.
The South American nation did grow into their tournament though. The Uruguayans, after scrapping past Saudi Arabia and Egypt, both to the tune of 1-0, put three past Russia in a much-needed confidence-builder ahead of the knockout stages.
Their attack was a major concern during the early parts of the tournament. Luis Suarez and Endinson Cavani are as dangerous as they come up front, but only really became in sync with the rest of their team during that third match.
If Uruguay are going to go anywhere in the tournament, they are the key, but may not be against Portugal.
You see, Portugal have a player of Cristiano Ronaldo who just happens to be not only the best in the world, but also in-form and the only reason the side qualified for the knockout stages.
After a three-all draw against Spain where Ronaldo was the only goal-scorer They managed to get past Morocco 1-0 in the second game, picking up a crucial three points, before somehow scrapping out of their final game with Iran, picking up a draw and the point which qualified them.
It doesn’t leave the Portuguese looking all that good ahead of the knockout stages though, their form up and down like a yo-yo in the lead-up to the Cup as well.
Ronaldo can only do so much, especially when he is up against one of the world’s best defenders in Diego Godin. If he and the backline silence Ronaldo, it’s hard to see more than a moment of brilliance getting them onto the scoreboard.
It does require Uruguay’s midfield and attack to play in sync, but one suspects the confidence from beating Russia will allow them to do just that.
Prediction
This is going to be one very intriguing battle. Hard to tip as well. The Portuguese rely heavily on Ronaldo though, who will have to find space around Godin. With strike talent at the other end, I’m not sure they will be able to hang on.
Uruguay 2 – Portugal 1.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this round of 16 match at the FIFA World Cup from 4am (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Blake Standfield
Roar Guru
I think I saw Messi sniffing around too.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full report will be up on site soon. Thanks for joining me this morning here on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup as Uruguay got the better of Portugal. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. I'll be back at 12am - midnight (AEST) tonight for Spain and Russia in the round of 16. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Uruguay have advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, picking up a 2-1 victory over Portugal on a humid night in Sochi. Edinson Cavani was the star, finishing two wonderful goals for the South American nation, but they had a complete team effort with their defence coming through big under pressure. Portugal, if you were watching without a scoreboard, dominated the game. They had nearly 70 per cent possession, great field position and 20 shots with ten corners, but could only make one goal count through a Pepe header in the 55th minute. Uruguay will now take on France in the quarter-finals on Saturday morning (AEST). Uruguay 2 Portugal 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cavani has just spoken to the media at the ground. Apparently his calf injury is just a pinch, rather than anything serious. Uruguay need him to be healthy when they take on France.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Uruguay will take on France in the quarter-finals on Saturday at midnight (AEST).
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME That is the end in Sochi! Portugal get it up to halfway, but the whistle will beat them from going any further. Uruguay are going to the quarter-finals. Edinson Cavani the star, and Portugal left distraught, with that potentially being the end of a stunning World Cup career for Cristiano Ronaldo. Uruguay 2 Portugal 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
90 + 6' - Patricio went up for the header, Portugal appeal for a penalty and then there is a clearance. Patricio is still up there, a cross comes in and Muslera wraps it up. The VAR checking for a handball on that corner, but there wasn't one. Now Uruguay on the counter and Patricio has the ball. Uruguay 2 Portugal 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
90 + 5' - This might be the final chance for Portugal. They have a cross into the penalty area, players are slipping everywhere and then Queresma has a shot. It's deflected behind for a corner. Patricio up for it. Uruguay 2 Portugal 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
90 + 4' - Yellow card! Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) Andre Silva went to ground, but wasn't ruled to have been fouled. Ronaldo then blew up at the referee and copped a yellow card. He won't play in the quarter-final if Portugal, by miracle, save themselves in the final seconds. Uruguay 2 Portugal 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
90 + 3' - Counter attack for Uruguay, but the pass from Suarez to Rodriguez is just a little bti too far out in front as the shot goes off to the right. Uruguay 2 Portugal 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
90 + 2' - The Portuguese penalty area is loaded here. So many in there, but it won't matter this time as the cross doesn't get delivered. Uruguay 2 Portugal 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
90 + 2' - Portugal have plenty of men forward again here and a cross comes in, but what a piece of defence that was from Lazalt as he makes a diving header to get rid of it. Uruguay 2 Portugal 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
90 + 1' - The Uruguayan fans are starting to look confident at any rate. Anyway, Portugal win a free kick on halfway now. Uruguay 2 Portugal 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
90' - The crowd getting right into it here as another viking clap starts up. They are going to need something special here though as we enter the final seconds of the 90. Portugal down the left-hand side for now before Ronaldo shoots from way out, sending it off to the right. Four minutes of stoppage time. Uruguay 2 Portugal 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
89' - Free kick for Uruguay out of their defensive line now. Uruguay 2 Portugal 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
89' - Ronaldo was there again on the edge of the penalty area that time, but he couldn't find a breath of space, the defence shutting him down brilliantly. Uruguay 2 Portugal 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
88' - Uruguay happy to work backwards, but then a poor through ball ends with Muslera. Regardless, that's another minute off the clock. Uruguay 2 Portugal 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
88' - Uruguay suddenly on the attack. It's Stuani and Rodriguez, the substitutes looking dangerous here before a potential cross is blocked behind for a corner by Quaresma. Uruguay 2 Portugal 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
87' - Well that's somewhat ambitious from Fernandez. He is trying to make an impact, but shooting from halfway back to halfway and sending it so far over the crossbar it was going to land in my backyard for all the good it was going to do, probably wasn't the best call. Uruguay 2 Portugal 1