Cristiano Ronaldo drove off in celebration and pretended to have scored another goal at the World Cup.
Not this time.
Instead, in the end it was Bruno Fernandes who was credited with the goal that saw Portugal win 2-0 against Uruguay on Monday, taking the team through to the last 16.
Fernandes curled in a cross from the left that barely went over the leaping Ronaldo’s head and bounced into the far corner of the net in the 54th minute to put Portugal ahead 1–0.
A grinning Ronaldo threw his arms in the air, suggesting he had the final hand, and hugged Fernandes as multiple close-up replays were shown on the big screens at Lusail Stadium.\
Portugal joins France and Brazil #FIFA world cup Round of 16.
Watch match highlights on FIFA+👇
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 28, 2022
The goal was eventually awarded to Fernandes, who added a second from the penalty spot in stoppage time after a Jose Maria Gimenez handball.
Fernandes was denied a hat-trick with virtually the last kick of the game, his shot from outside the area hitting the post and bouncing wide.
Portugal, who opened with a 3-2 victory over Ghana, became the third team to reach the last 16 after France and Brazil.
Uruguay has one point from two games and must beat Ghana on Friday to have a chance of promotion.
PEPE’S FUNCTION
Portuguese defender Pepe, aged 39, became the second-oldest outfield player to play in a World Cup. The eldest is Roger Milla, who was 42 when he played for Cameroon in the 1994 tournament.
MENDES INJURED
Portugal left-back Nuno Mendes fell to the ground in the 40th minute and was soon in tears after suffering an injury that ended the match. He was able to walk off the field unassisted. Portugal’s other left back is Raphael Guerreiro.