Brace: Bruno Fernandes scored twice to send Portugal through at the World Cup
(Picture: Getty Images)Bruno Fernandes scored twice as Portugal beat Uruguay to progress into the last World Cup’s last-16.
The opening 45 minutes had perhaps been the most turgid of the tournament so far. A game dominated by seasoned veterans looking for a last dance, the tempo was something approaching that of a waltz, with only Rodrigo Bentancur going close to breaking the deadlock by gliding through the Portuguese defence.
Unlike club level this season, however, the Tottenham midfielder could not finish and struck tamely at Diogo Costa.
Ronaldo, who delighted a crowd eager to be so with some flicks and tricks early on, appeared to nod in Fernandes’ cross less than ten minutes into the second-half and duly wheeled away in celebration.
After some no doubt studious deliberation in official FIFA circles, the goal was instead given to Fernandes.
Luis Suarez introduction to replace the not-so-youthful Edison Cavani brought about more urgency from Uruguay, even if the forward was guilty of missing a fantastic chance to draw his side level minutes after coming on.
Such urgency was ended in the 90th minute as Jose Gimenez was penalised rather harshly for a handball in the box, with Fernandes stroking home from the penalty spot.
While Fernando Santos is often criticised for the passive manner in which he deploys yet another talent-packed Portuguese generation, there is a growing sense the manager is starting to convince again. Able to bring on the steel of João Palhinha and Matheus Nunes once his more stylish attackers have done their jobs, it’s increasingly difficult to see an obvious weakness.
As a result, La Celeste are heading for a tense grudge-match with Ghana while Portugal head into the knockouts.
