Uruguay 2-1 Portugal: Cavani brace knocks Ronaldo out of World Cup
The South Americans are into the last eight, where they will meet France
Cristiano Ronaldo followed Lionel Messi out of the World Cup as two brilliant Edinson Cavani goals helped Uruguay beat Portugal 2-1 on Saturday.
Cavani opened the scoring in the first half with a brilliant header but Pepe drew the European champions level after the break.
However, Cavani was on hand again to restore Uruguay’s lead with a brilliant curling effort to send his country into the quarterfinals.
It means Ronaldo, like Messi, whose Argentina side lost to France earlier on Saturday, is heading home without adding the World Cup to his long list of honours.
Despite winning nearly everything there is to be won, neither Messi or Ronaldo have ever lifted the World Cup with their trophy.
It’s the one they really want.
What’s more, neither of them has ever scored in a knockout tie at the World Cup, either, and they may not get the chance again.
By the time the next World Cup comes around in four years time, Messi will be 35 and Ronaldo will be nearly 38.
They have 10 Ballons d’Or between them but it looks like they will end their careers without ever getting their hands on the World Cup.
Portugal struggled against a Uruguay side who knew exactly what they were doing, stuck together and deserved the win.
They opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Cavani angled a ball out to Luis Suarez, who cut inside and picked out Cavan’s run at the far post.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker rose impressively to head past Rui Patricio — it was one of the one-twos of the tournament.
Suarez came close to doubling the lead but his free-kick was well saved by Patricio.
Pepe drew Portugal level with a header after a short corner routine (it was the first goal Uruguay have conceded in Russia) but Cavani restored the South American’s lead before being forced off with an injury.
Collecting a pass from Rodrigo Bentancur, he curled an unstoppable effort into the side netting from the corner of the penalty box.
Portugal pushed for an equaliser but never really came close, not even in four minutes of stoppage time which developed into six.
European champions two years ago, it’s an early exit for them this summer.
As for Uruguay, they will meet France in the last eight as the look to win a competition they previously won in 1930 and 1950.
