Edinson Cavani’s brace helped Uruguay book a place in the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Portugal at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi on Saturday.
The towering frontman scored standout efforts either side of half-time to cancel out a leveler from Pepe, as Oscar Tabarez’s charges turned in a memorable defensive showing to reach the last eight of the showpiece tournament.
The victory sets up a quarter-final clash with France next week, who had earlier dispatched Argentina 4-3 thanks to a match-winning performance from rising youngster Kylian Mbappe.
It took just seven minutes for Tabarez’s men to find an opener as Edinson Cavani produced a goal worthy of the world stage.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward started the move as he dropped deep to switch the ball across the pitch for Luis Suarez, who turned inside on his right to swing a ball towards the back post, where Cavani rose to flash a header past a stranded Rui Patricio.
Portugal responded by almost carving out a leveler moments later. Jose Fonte should have done better as he climbed above an isolated Ricardo Pereira before sending a tame header wide of the far post.
Portugal continued to press for parity throughout the first half, but Tabarez’s men defended with a commendable application and adroit coordination with both Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez producing standout performances at the back.
The Iberians moved the ball quicker after the break and they were rewarded with an equalizer in the 55th minute. For the first time in the game, Uruguay fell asleep at the back just as Raphael Guerreiro collected a short corner and delivered into the box, leaving Pepe to break free of his marker and power a header beyond Fernando Muslera.
Parity was to last just seven minutes, however, as Cavani soon returned to haunt the Portuguese defense with his second of the night in the 62nd minute.
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