Fifa World Cup - Russia 2018

Full-time Uruguay 2 – 1 Portugal #WorldCup

Edinson Cavani scored twice to secure Uruguay’s path to the World Cup last eight as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal crashed out of the tournament in a 2-1 defeat.

Cavani gave Uruguay a seventh-minute lead before Pepe equalised 10 minutes after half-time, but a 67th-minute winner secured Uruguay’s place in the quarter-finals where they will face France on Friday.

Edison Cavani

Uruguay welcomed back the central defender Jose Giménez for their World Cup last‑16 clash in Sochi. The Atlético Madrid star missed the 3-0 victory against Russia but he replaced Sebastian Coates in the only change to an Uruguay side which again saw Cavani and Luis Suárez spearhead the attack.

Portugal made three changes from the XI which drew 1-1 with Iran on Monday to secure the second spot in Group B.

Ronaldo wore the armband as the European champions brought in Ricardo, Goncalo Guedes and Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, with Cédric Soares, Ricardo Quaresma and André Silva dropping out.

Uruguay took a seventh-minute lead through Cavani’s close-range header. He sprayed a wonderful diagonal ball to Suárez before breaking into the area and finishing his fellow forward’s cross at the far post.

Portugal had started brightly with Fernando Muslera holding Ronaldo’s 20-yard attempt.

Cavani’s goal was the difference at half-time. Uruguay had not conceded in their previous six games and it showed as a well-organised defence frustrated Ronaldo and company.

Portugal improved after the restart and they were rewarded when Pepe headed an equaliser on 55 minutes. Uruguay was caught napping from a short corner and Raphael Guerreiro’s cross cleared the head of Ronaldo before the centre-back Pepe gave Muslera no chance.

But Uruguay was back in front seven minutes later when Rodrigo Betancur freed Cavani and the Paris Saint‑Germain striker curled home his second of the night.

Source: The Guardian