AGENCIES

November 29: A second-half brace from Bruno Fernandes fired Portugal into the last 16 of the World Cup on Monday as they outclassed Uruguay 2-0 in a "scrappy encounter" at Lusail Stadium.

According to media reports, Portugal reached the knockout stage to join France and Brazil with a match to spare.

For a Portugal whose World Cup narrative has so far been crafted by the controversy and brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo, the night belonged to Fernandes, who shone throughout and always looked threatening, Reuters reported.

His first goal set the tone of how the match would play out, with a 55th minute cross intended for Ronaldo that sailed fortuitously into the net, before a perfectly executed spot kick in stoppage time that guaranteed his side's passage to the knockout stage, the news agency added.

“Ronaldo had celebrated the first goal ecstatically as his own and smiled awkwardly as it was announced as belonging to Fernandes, who twice came close to completing a hat-trick in the dying moments.”

According to the BBC, it was the moment Cristiano Ronaldo thought he had joined Eusebio as Portugal's World Cup record goalscorer - well, for a couple of minutes anyway.

The Portuguese forward's jubilant celebrations convinced everyone his head had got the last touch to Bruno Fernandes' cross for the crucial opener in his country's 2-0 win over Uruguay, added the BBC.

“Not only was it a goal that sent Portugal on their way to qualification for the knockout stages with a game to spare, it was also going to be his ninth World Cup strike - bringing him level with the great Eusebio. But then came the uncertainty. While Ronaldo was clearly convinced it was his goal, the replays were not so conclusive.”