Uruguay look within to win, not at Ronaldo
John Stones’ goal and three penalties from the same corner. Fair play to Marcus Rashford for trying to nick the honours against Belgium, but the biggest miss of the knockout stages will be colourful Peru. They were determined to make up for missing out on the finals for the past 36 years. It was just a shame we had to say goodbye. Although Panama were five goals down at half-time against England, their World Cup had still not been as poor as Jamie Vardy’s. Beaten by members of the media at darts and pool, a Chinese TV crew set up to interview him closed down their camera and walked away when they learnt they would not be getting Harry Kane. Joachim Low has to claim this on two counts. Yes, the Germany team that had served him so well were suddenly made to look tired and past their best. But that is nothing compared to his T-shirt and trousers combo. URUGUAY manager Oscar Tabarez and star man Luis Suarez have insisted they will lose no sleep over facing Cristiano Ronaldo, even though there is no defender in the team who can stop him.
Ronaldo returns to the stadium where he scored a stunning hat-trick against Spain in the group stage determined to end Uruguay’s World Cup dream in the last 16.
But the South Americans refuse to be worried.
Tabarez said: “I believe Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best strikers in the world and what he has on top of those qualities is that he’s the leader of that team. In planning the match there is not one single player who can contain him. Not Diego Godin. Nobody.
“So we are going to have to work collectively. But we don’t lose sleep over this – we will take it seriously but we will not be obsessed by it.”
Barcelona striker Suarez knows that coming up against Real Madrid hero Ronaldo is bound to create headlines. But he too is adamant it will not be the focus of his match preparation.
He said: “When it comes to the rivalry with Ronaldo at club level, that’s a different thing. This is a World Cup and we are working for our national teams.
“It’s not about me and Ronaldo.
“Look at the quality of their squad. Pepe for example has played so many years – 10 at Real – he’s a great defender who is globally considered one of the best. Individual players can make a small difference but it’s about the team.”
Uruguay go into the game with the best defence at the World Cup – no goals conceded in Russia and none in eight games in 2018.
But Portugal manager Fernando Santos is clearly fed up with being asked whether Ronaldo is the key to his team’s hopes of breaking the deadlock. “I bet on this question,” he said with a grimace. “Now I get a free coffee. Listen, I always repeat the same answer. I understand the question but every team depends on all its players.
“Yes, we have one of the best in the world but you could ask me the same question about Uruguay’s Suarez or Edinson Cavani because there are great players in every team.”
An exasperated Santos added: “If Ronaldo plays alone we are going to lose. We have to be strong as a team, as strong as Uruguay.
“But when two teams cancel each other out, individuals can come to the fore.”
Portugal look set to make one change, leaving out Andre Silva and bringing in Goncalo Guedes up front. Uruguay welcome back central defender Jose Maria Gimenez in place of Sebastian Coates.