Fernandes double sends Portugal into last 16

Bruno Fernandes scored twice to send Portugal through to the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup from Group ‘H’ with a game to spare after beating Uruguay 2-0 at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar yesterday.

Cristiano Ronaldo thought he had scored a second-half header although the striker did not get a touch to Fernandes’ cross which ended up in the net. Uruguay almost equalised when substitute Maxi Gomez hit a post before Luis Suarez missed from close-range – but they were punished in the 90th minute as a VAR check saw Jose Maria Gimenez adjudged to have handled the ball in the area and, with Ronaldo having been brought off, Fernandes tucked away the spot kick.

Portugal dominated a drab first half, yet Uruguay had the best chance when Rodrigo Bentancur wonderfully weaved through the defence but was denied one of the great World Cup goals by goalkeeper Diogo Costa. Nuno Mendes left the pitch in tears after being forced off injured although things did improve for Portugal in the second half once the game had restarted following the protest from a supporter. Fernandes floated a cross into the box for Ronaldo, who had a clear header at goal. However, he did not get a touch to the ball which carried on through into the corner. Uruguay rallied with 15 minutes remaining and started playing some of their best football. Gomez struck a post with a first-time effort from the edge of the box, Suarez stabbed an effort into the side-netting when he should have scored and Giorgian de Arrascaeta had a chip saved by Costa. (C.D)