Uruguay 2 (Edinson Cavani 2): Portugal 1 (Pepe)
Fleet footed Crafty Cavani pairing sweetly with his compatriot Suarez delivered killer punches scoring two great goals in a keenly contested encounter won the match against Portugal 2-1.
The two times winners of world cup will now meet France in the quarter finals. It is a great going for a small nation. Many top players of the world spark when they play for their clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United or Arsenal but can not translate their form when they appear for national team. Uruguay is different. Their players do not look exceptional in leagues but when they play for national team they produce their best.
On the unforgettable night of soccer world cup, two all time greats football heroes Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo had to leave the scene one after another. First Argentina was knocked out 4-3 by fancied France. This was followed by Uruguay sent Portugal back home in a breathtaking match which no team deserved to loose. South American giant kept the dreams of their continent alive. The quarter final between France and Uruguay will be a match to watch.
Uruguay won the first world cup title and once after that in all these years. But since 1950 they did not win any. They have won COPA 15 times. This tiny nation continues to produce quality football players. But they are not discussed in the same vein with their other neighbors Brazil and Argentina. This time also they were not considered among the pre tournament favorites. But so far winning all four matches in this world cup and conceding just one goal they look like going the distance. Their star striker Cavani got injured.
We are not sure about the seriousness of his injury. If he is available to play the sweet combination of Suarez and Cavani will cause headache not only for France but also other favorites of this world cup.
Portugal on the other hand have never won the world cup. They had some world class players in the past , Cristiano Ronaldo is one of best football players ever playing the game did his best to take his team forward . But unfortunately his best was not enough. His team went down fighting (1-2). Perhaps the world cup will never see him again.
This is the first time since 1930 Uruguay won first four games of a world cup. In the first ever tournament they went on winning it beating Argentina 4-2 in the final. Portugal on the other hand lost in the last four world cup matches in the knock out stages since drawing 0-0 with England in 2006.
On a night that was thought as a one-on-one battle between El Clasico rivals Ronaldo and Luis Suarez, PSG star Edinson Cavani stole the limelight with a stunning brace to propel La Celeste to the quarter finals. With only 7 minutes in to the match Suarez and Cavani produced one of the greatest one-twos of all time and snatch an early lead for their side.
A sweeping switch from eventual goal scorer Cavani found his strike partner, who brought it down, cut inside and returned the favour with a pinpoint cross. Cavani’s close range header thundered past keeper Rui Patricio (1-0). Portugal was shocked and awed.
Uruguay possesses the classic defence giving the nothing away so far in the tournament. In three group a matches they not only conceded any goal but also only 8 strikes could be targeted to their goal keeper. Portugal kept on pressing hard and came tantalizingly close to earn equalizer. Some brilliant solo efforts of Ronaldo could not break the ice till the breather.
Their defence, led by captain enigmatic Diego Godin, were remarkably strong once again, despite conceding their first goal this year as Pepe rose highest at a short corner – somehow unmarked in a rare blemish on the record of a near unbreachable back four (1-1) .
The exchanges were even with teams going for fast attacks and counter attacks. Great matches like these are decided on mere moments, and in the 61st minute, Cavani effortlessly provided one of the great finishes to curl home from the edge of the box and prove himself the match winner (2-1).
Portugal kept probing till the last minutes of the match. But Uruguay some how managed to defend their lead. Perhaps from the frustration of unfulfilled dream Ronaldo earned his second yellow card and like Messi earlier he bowed out.
In 2022 Qatar World Cup there will possibly no Ronaldo even if his team goes through. Same can be told about Messi as well. Football world could not see either of the two greats lifting the world club. Man of match Cavani got injured and left the field. His presence will be essential in the super duper quarter final against France. After the unceremonious exit of Messi and Argentina the other South American great Uruguay kept the South American hopes alive.
Let us see how the Yellow army Brazil deliver tomorrow.
BDST: 0948 HRS, JUL 1, 2018
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