Portugal into last-16 after Uruguay win

Two second-half goals from Bruno Fernandes have sent Portugal through to the last-16 of the World Cup alongside France and Brazil after a 2-0 win over a lacklustre Uruguay.

Fernandes scored with a cross intended for Cristiano Ronaldo that sailed into the net on 54 minutes, before converting a spot kick in added time to put his side into the knockout stages with a match remaining.

Portugal had the lion’s share of the possession and dominated for most of Monday’s Group H match (Tuesday AEDT), but struggled to create clear-cut chances until the second half in a game where Uruguay looked out of sorts.

It is the third time at a World Cup that Portugal have won two successive group-stage matches – the previous two occasions led to streaks into the semi-finals.

“I’ve got to give the team credit. It was a brilliant thing,” Portugal coach Fernando Santos said.

“We clearly showed a very strong unit, both in the quality of the game and in the bond between them.

“That’s how positive things are achieved. We will always work like this.”

The result leaves Uruguay with a difficult final match against Ghana, who kept themselves in contention by beating South Korea 3-2 in the group’s earlier match.

Giorgian de Arrascaeta, who was among the substitutes brought on in the second half to try to give Uruguay a shot at an equaliser, said the team would need to go all out to qualify.

“We have one game left and we have to go for it,” he said.

“Without doubt, we have to win come what may.”

Portugal looked threatening in possession but struggled to create scoring chances, with Bernardo Silva, Fernandes and Joao Felix frustrated in front of goal early on.

But it was Uruguay who had the best chance of the half, Rodrigo Bentancur picking up the ball and dribbling half the length of the field in the 32nd minute, skipping around three defenders before firing off a low shot that was blocked by keeper Diogo Costa.

Portugal battled hard for a goal and Felix came close on 52 minutes when he blasted low into the side netting.

They finally broke the deadlock two minutes later when Fernandes’ cross floated past Uruguayan goalkeeper Sergio Rochet, who was rooted to the spot as Cristiano Ronaldo rose to head the ball and initially celebrated the goal as his.

Uruguay had a brief rally to try to get back into the match after a raft of substitutions, with Facundo Pellistri making an instant impact, Luis Suarez coming close and Maxi Gomez hitting the post.

But the match belonged to Portugal and Fernandes, who coolly converted a penalty in added time after a handball in the box that required a VAR review.

Hungry for more, the Manchester United midfielder almost ended with a hat-trick in the dying seconds, with one effort saved at the near post by Rochet and another strike that cannoned off the post.