<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">Portugal secured their place in the last 16 of the World Cup with victory over Uruguay in a scrappy encounter at Lusail Stadium.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A game short on real quality saw the deadlock broken in the 54th minute when a cross from Bruno Fernandes floated beyond Uruguay keeper Sergio Rochet, the goal given to Manchester United's midfield man despite Cristiano Ronaldo claiming it had glanced off his head.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Portugal made most of the running until they went ahead but Uruguay, who must now beat Ghana in their final Group H game to have a chance of qualifying, created chances of their own and could have taken a point.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rodrigo Bentancur's brilliant first-half run was halted by Portugal keeper Diogo Costa's save, while substitute Maxi Gomez hit the post as Uruguay went in search of an equaliser.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Portugal wrapped up the win in stoppage time when Fernandes got his second from the spot after a video assistant referee intervention which adjudged Jose Gimenez had handled.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fernandes almost got his hat-trick before the final whistle but saw a low shot strike the post.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">The game was interrupted in the second half by a pitch invader carrying a rainbow flag and wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the words 'Save Ukraine' on the front and 'Respect for Iranian woman' on the back.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Portugal have reached the last 16 with efficiency and will present a formidable obstacle to whoever they come up against because they have strength in all areas.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was unspectacular but Portugal possess match-winners, Fernandes stepping into the role on this occasion with both goals and that strike against the post that almost gave him a treble.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ronaldo was quiet, although he was still insisting he had scored the opener in some good-natured post-match celebrations. He may have left Manchester United under a cloud but his status among Portugal's fans remains undimmed as he received huge cheers when his face appeared on the big screen before kick-off and a standing ovation when substituted late on.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Portugal can call on the quality of Manchester City trio Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo in defence and Bernardo Silva in midfield while the ageless Pepe continues as the defensive rock.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">They have not been mentioned among the heavily touted countries for this World Cup but there is genuine class and quality allied to a quiet confidence as they go through to the knockout phase.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Uruguay on the brink</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Uruguay possess danger men in attack in the shape of Liverpool's Darwin Nunez along with Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, who was left on the bench after a poor show against South Korea.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The problem is they were underutilised here as Uruguay were happy to adopt a largely conservative approach until they went a goal behind. Now they are in serious danger of World Cup elimination.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Portugal need a point against South Korea to top the group while Uruguay require victory against Ghana and to better the South Koreans' result to get through. It is a game of brinksmanship that may yet prove very costly in that tense final group game.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Uruguayans have an ageing strike force in Cavani and Suarez, both 35, while 23-year-old Nunez is still trying to find his feet at this level and was also starved of decent service.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Uruguay have class in midfield with Federico Valverde while Tottenham's Bentancur was a driving force but they are team that can occasionally leave you wanting more.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was one such occasion and now they have to produce their best against Ghana and hope the other result falls in their favour to prevent a disappointing early departure from Qatar. BBC</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>