The Manchester United midfielder scored a cross-cum-shot 9 minutes into the second half after which added an injury-time penalty following a handball by Jose Maria Gimenez.
Portugal’s midfielder #08 Bruno Fernandes prepares to take a penalty kick through the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group H soccer match between Portugal and Uruguay on the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on November 28, 2022. Picture: Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP.
DOHA, QATAR – Bruno Fernandes scored twice to provide Portugal a 2-0 victory over Uruguay on Monday and ship them into the knock-out levels of the World Cup alongside France and Brazil.
The Manchester United midfielder scored a cross-cum-shot 9 minutes into the second half after which added an injury-time penalty following a handball by Jose Maria Gimenez.
The match at Doha’s spectacular 89,000-capacity Lusail Stadium additionally featured the primary pitch invader of the Qatar event — the person carried messages of assist for Ukraine and Iranian girls and had a rainbow flag.
“It was a well-deserved victory,” Portugal coach Fernando Santos stated.
“The first part is over, we are in a hurry. Now I will continue to work to improve what needs to improve.
“The staff deserved it, they have been stable and really sturdy each within the high quality of the sport and the bond between them.”
With Portugal already through, Uruguay must now beat Ghana in their final Group H match to stand any chance of also progressing.
Both sides made three changes from their opening matches, with Portugal bringing in veteran Pepe for the injured Danilo Pereira, who suffered cracked ribs in training.
Pepe became the third-oldest outfield player in World Cup history and it was his first full 90 minutes in more than a month and a half.
“I labored rather a lot with my membership (Porto), which gave me the potential of being 100% for the nationwide staff,” stated Pepe of his shock begin.
Portugal dominated the primary half, hogging the ball and creating a number of probabilities, however with out ever testing Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet.
Uruguay’s forwards, Edinson Cavani and Darwin Nunez, have been starved of the ball however the South Americans nonetheless had the perfect alternative of the primary interval.
Rodrigo Bentancur picked the ball up in his personal half and surged forwards, slipping between two defenders to search out himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who unfold himself effectively to avoid wasting the midfielder’s shot.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was largely nameless within the first 45 minutes however did delight followers with a shoulder move to pick William Carvalho, who volleyed over.
PITCH INVADER
The principal drama got here after the break.
Moments after a pitch invader ran onto the pitch carrying an LGBTQ rainbow flag and with a message supporting Ukraine and Iranian girls on his T-shirt, solely to be spectacularly tackled by safety, Portugal went in entrance.
Fernandes created area for himself on the left and curled an inswinging cross into the mixer, with Ronaldo breaking the offside lure to try a glancing header.
As the ball nestled within the purpose, Ronaldo wheeled away in celebration however FIFA determined he had not touched the ball, thus denying him a ninth World Cup purpose, which might have put him stage with Portuguese nice Eusebio.
Uruguay coach Diego Alonso threw on forwards Maxi Gomez and Luis Suarez because the South Americans belatedly started to exert some stress, and each got here near an equaliser.
Gomez’s rasping drive from 20 yards got here again off the put up with Costa crushed, whereas Suarez hit the facet netting from shut vary.
With the 90 minutes virtually up, Fernandes nutmegged Gimenez, whose trailing hand diverted the ball away from the midfielder and prevented him from discovering himself one-on-one with Rochet.
Iranian referee Alireza Faghani awarded the spot-kick after a VAR examine and Fernandes despatched Rochet the incorrect method after his signature hop, skip run-up.
He then virtually accomplished a hat-trick however hit the put up from 20 yards.