After defeating Uruguay 2-0, Portugal advanced to the knockout stages with a game to spare thanks to two goals from Bruno Fernandes. Cristiano Ronaldo thought he had scored a second-half header, but he did not get a touch on Fernandes’ cross, which ended up in the net, as Adidas technology inside the ball has revealed.
I had the impression that Cristiano had touched the ball,” Fernandes explained. I was handing him the ball. Portugal took a deserved lead just a minute after a protester entered the pitch carrying a rainbow flag and wearing a t-shirt that said “Save Ukraine” and “Respect for Iranian women.
Cristiano Ronaldo claim’s goal for Portugal to qualify for the last 16
Uruguay nearly equalized when substitute Maxi Gomez hit the post before Luis Suarez missed from close range – but they were punished in the 90th minute when Jose Maria Gimenez was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area and, with Ronaldo off, Fernandes tucked away the spot kick. Portugal dominated a dull first half, but Uruguay had the best chance when Rodrigo Bentancur beautifully weaved through the defense, but goalkeeper Diogo Costa denied him one of the great World Cup goals.
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Nuno Mendes was forced off the field in tears after being injured, but things improved for Portugal in the second half after the game was restarted following a supporter’s protest. Ronaldo had a clear header at goal after Fernandes floated a cross into the box. He did not, however, get a touch on the ball, which continued into the corner. With 15 minutes remaining, Uruguay rallied and began playing some of their best football. Gomez’s first-time effort from the edge of the box hit the post, Suarez stabbed an effort into the side-netting when he should have scored, and Giorgian de Arrascaeta had a chip saved by Costa.
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At the end of normal time, Gimenez’s trailing hand touched the ball as he lunged into a tackle on Fernandes, who converted the penalty awarded by referee Alireza Faghani after he was instructed to check the pitchside monitor. Portugal, along with France and Brazil, has advanced to the round of 16, but they still need a point to be declared Group H winners. The only remaining rival for first place is Ghana, but the Africans could still finish behind both South Korea and Uruguay.
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The equation is simple for those two teams: win or go home. However, even victory may not be enough. Both Uruguay and South Korea would be level on four points and separated only by goal difference if they won, but a South Korean victory would be meaningless if Ghana beat Uruguay. A point for Ghana and a win for Korea would also make goal difference – and possibly goals scored – the deciding factor.