Yet again, it’s all about Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo wheeled away in celebration, acting as though he had scored yet another goal at the World Cup.
Not this time. Instead, it was Bruno Fernandes eventually credited with the goal that set up Portugal’s 2-0 win over Uruguay yesterday, advancing the team into the last 16.
Fernandes curled in a cross from the left that barely went over the head of the leaping Ronaldo and bounced into the far corner of the net in the 54th minute to give Portugal a 1-0 lead.
A grinning Ronaldo threw his arms in the air, suggesting he got the final touch, and was embracing Fernandes as multiple close-up replays were being shown on the big screens in Lusail Stadium.
Alas for Ronaldo, the goal wound up being awarded to Fernandes, who added a second from the penalty spot in stoppage time after a handball by Jose Maria Gimenez as he slid in to challenge the Manchester United playmaker.
‘‘I don’t really think it matters who scored,’’ Fernandes said about the first goal. ‘‘The feeling at the time was that he [Ronaldo] touched the ball – I was crossing it to him – but what’s important was we moved into the next round and beat a very big opponent.’’
Fernandes was denied a hat-trick with virtually the last kick of the game, his shot from outside the area hitting the post and bouncing wide.
Portugal, who opened with a 3-2 win over Ghana, became the third team to reach the last 16 after France and Brazil.
Uruguay have one point from two matches and need to beat Ghana on Friday (Saturday NZT) to stand a chance of advancing. The 2010 semifinalists have yet to score a goal at this tournament, with coach Diego Alonso even putting 35-year-old striker Luis Suarez on the bench in search of the right combination up front.
Portugal have no such worries. The team has scored five goals in two games and Fernandes has had a hand in four of them as he dictates play in his role as the team’s No 10.
Ronaldo was unable to add to the penalty he scored against Ghana, which took his World Cup tally to eight goals from five tournaments and his men’s record of international goals to 118.
He still was the centre of attention, though, illuminating a lacklustre first half with tricks and flicks that brought gasps from the crowd inside the World Cup’s largest venue, where Ronaldo will hope to return for the final on December 18.
Ronaldo is now assured of at least two more matches in what is likely his final World Cup, and will play in the knockout stage for the fourth time in his career.
A draw against South Korea in their final Group H match will secure first place for Portugal, and likely avoid a last 16 meeting with Brazil.
The match was briefly interrupted just before the goal by a protestor carrying a rainbow flag and wearing a blue Superman T-shirt that said ‘‘SAVE UKRAINE’’ on the front and ‘‘RESPECT FOR IRANIAN WOMAN’’ on the back.
Security officials chased the protestor down and the flag was dropped on the field.
Meanwhile Neymar stayed at team hotel for physiotherapy treatment on his right ankle while Brazil defeated Switzerland 1-0 to advance to the round of 16 at the World Cup yesterday.
Forward Vinicius Junior said superstar striker Neymar also had a fever though the team had not officially said anything about it.
‘‘He was sad he couldn’t come to the game,’’ Vinicius Junior said. ‘‘He wasn’t feeling well. Not only because of the foot, but also because he had a little bit of a fever. We are hoping that he can recover as soon as possible.’’