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Portugal will face Uruguay in their Group H match with a chance to get to the round of 16 ensuring the top spot of the group at Lusail Stadium on Monday.
Fernando Santos’ side started their World Cup with a 3-2 victory against the battling side of Ghana where Ghanaian forward Inaki Williams had the chance to score the equaliser in the final minute but he slipped in front of the goal, which ensured Portugal got all three points lead to start their campaign. On the other hand, Uruguay were held to a goalless draw by Heung Min Son’s South Korea.
In their match against Ghana, Ronaldo opened the deadlock of a five-goal thriller from the spot to become the only player to score in five different World Cups.
“He’s a reference point for everyone. He’s an idol and leads the team but he’s not the only one. We have others like Bruno Fernandes or Pepe, who can also lead and help Cristiano,” Portugal striker Goncalo Ramos said.
A win against Uruguay would send Portugal into the tournament’s knockout stages with their final group game against South Korea in hand. Uruguay, on the other hand, must avoid defeat to keep their hopes of reaching the last 16 alive.
The two sides met in the round of 16 of the Russia World Cup in 2018, where Edinson Cavani’s double strike ensured Ronaldo & co were knocked out of the tournament. With a deeper and improved squad, Portugal will be looking for revenge in Doha.
Diego Alonso’s team has plenty of experience playing in the later rounds of the tournament as the two times world champions were semi-finalists in 2010 and quarter-finalists last time around, where they were knocked down by the subsequent champions of that edition, France.
The Portuguese seemed vulnerable in the defence as they conceded two goals while leading against Ghana, but they were fierce in the attack with their creativity. Uruguay, on the other hand, lacked creativity in the middle against South Korea, which is why they failed to break the deadlock of the Korean defence.
With a squad combined with experience and youth, Santos’s side will enter the match as the favourites whereas Uruguay will turn to their veterans but the question remains will the side of Diego Godin, Martin Caceres, Cavani and Luis Suarez be able to stop Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes or not.
Portugal have an injury issue on their hands as they will be without Danilo Pereira, who fractured three ribs in training. That means they will have to change their backline, with Pepe likely to play in his place.
Uruguay are still without Ronald Araujo, and it is unlikely he will feature in the group stage games.
