Portugal have been eliminated by Uruguay in the World Cup’s Round of 16, courtesy of an Edinson Cavani brace in a 2-1 defeat at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi.

Fernando Santos made a few changes to the Portuguese squad that played against Iran on Monday. Bernardo Silva and Gonçalo Guedes replaced André Silva and Ricardo Quaresma, while Santos handed Ricardo Perreira his World Cup debut in place of Cédric Soares at right-back.

Despite having two attempts on goal from Bernardo Silva and Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal conceded a goal in the 7th minute. Cavani made a pass across the field to Luis Suarez, who returned the ball with a fantastic cross allowing Cavani to head it into the back of the net.

Uruguay attempted to double their lead when Suarez tried his luck with a low free-kick in the 21st minute, but goalkeeper Rui Patrício was able to deny his chance.

Uruguay were able to hold on to their lead till halftime. They had not conceded a goal at this tournament, but that changed in the 55th minute when Portugal found their equalizer. Off of a short corner kick, Raphaël Guerreiro delivered a cross into the box where Pepe rose unmarked to nod in the ball from close range.

Though Portugal had a good spell of possession after their goal, Uruguay found a way to regain their lead with a quick attack. Fernando Muslera booted the ball into Portugal’s half, Rodrigo Betancur passed it to Cavani who curled a beautiful shot first time into the corner. The goalscorer departed not long after due to injury, leaving Uruguay with a one goal lead and just under 20 minutes to defend it.

Bernardo Silva had the chance to bring Portugal back level after Fernando Muslera struggled to keep a hold of Guerreiro’s cross, but the midfielder saw his shot go over the crossbar.

Hoping for a chance to equalize and send it into extra time, Fernando Santos brought on Ricardo Quaresma and Manuel Fernandes.

Late chances from Cristian Rodriguez and Quaresma threatened to change the score, but Cavani’s brace would be enough for Uruguay as Portugal’s World Cup campaign came to an end.

Portugal have lost their past four World Cup knockout matches, dating back to a goalless draw with England in the 2006 quarter-final.

“In football, there are no moral victories and I would have preferred to play worse and win the match. But I do feel that the second half was very good from us in terms of desire and our determination to score.

“We tried our best and we played a good game, I think. But you always want to win, and we lost, so well done to Uruguay for making it through.”

-Fernando Santos

 

Uruguay will now face France on Friday in Nizhny Novgorod for a place in the semi-finals.