Superb Cavani dumps Portugal

Edinson Cavani sent Uruguay into a World Cup quarter-final against France with two goals of the highest order, eliminating Portugal.

Cavani’s brace in Uruguay’s 2-1 win in Sochi took his tournament tally to three goals and condemned Portugal talisman Cristiano Ronaldo to a World Cup exit, just hours after his great rival Lionel Messi took the same path.

The Paris St Germain forward struck in each half, heading home early on before restoring Uruguay’s lead seven minutes after Portugal defender Pepe had levelled.

Pepe’s header was the first goal that Uruguay had conceded at this World Cup, but Oscar Tabarez’s side recovered to secure a date with France in Nizhny Novgorod on Friday.

The goal which determined the pattern of the contest arrived as early as the seventh minute. Cavani received the ball from Rodrigo Betancur and sprayed a wonderful 40-yard diagonal pass to Luis Suarez.

The Barcelona striker delivered a superb cross to the far post where Cavani, having made up the ground, gave Rui Patricio no chance.

It was a hammer blow for the European champions given that Uruguay had not conceded in their previous six games, but Portugal were rewarded when Uruguay were caught napping by a short corner and Pepe planted a free header firmly past Muslera.

But Uruguay were back in front seven minutes later when Rodrigo Betancur allowed Cavani to brilliantly curl home his 45th international goal.