ZCZC
BSP-02
FBL-WC-2018-URU-POR
Cavani fires Uruguay into last eight as Ronaldo dream ends
SOCHI, Russia, July 1, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Edinson Cavani scored twice as
Uruguay shattered Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup dream with a 2-1 victory over
Portugal in Sochi on Saturday.
Paris Saint-Germain striker Cavani curled home a superb 62nd-minute winner
to settle a thrilling last-16 tie and send Uruguay into a quarter-final
against France next Friday.
Cavani had already put Uruguay in front early on, only for Pepe to head
Portugal level in the 55th minute in a thrilling contest that was not the
battle of attrition many predicted.
Pepe’s goal was the first time the South Americans’ defence had been
breached in this tournament, but they stood firm after that and are beginning
to look like genuine contenders moving into the latter stages in Russia.
The only downside for Oscar Tabarez’s side was the sight of Cavani limping
off late on, raising a question mark over his fitness for the last-eight
showdown with the French in Nizhny Novgorod.
“We are so proud and happy. It is a special day,” said Cavani after his
match-winning display, before expressing optimism over his chances of
recovering in time to face the French.
“I hope so. I’ll do everything to make sure I can take to the field with
my teammates.” Uruguay will need him as they march on, his partnership in
attack with Luis Suarez combining with a formidable defence that is arguably
the best in international football.
Meanwhile, European champions Portugal go home, Ronaldo and Lionel Messi
bowing out of the competition on the same day.
“We are very sad that we didn’t make it. We played well in the second half
and tried everything possible, but congratulations to Uruguay,” said Portugal
coach Fernando Santos, who hopes Ronaldo will continue his international
career.
“I am sure he will. Cristiano still has a lot to give to the game,” he
said. Ronaldo could not make the difference after Suarez and Cavani combined
brilliantly for Uruguay’s seventh-minute opener on Russia’s Black Sea coast.
Cavani picked out Suarez on the left with a cross-field ball, before
continuing his run into the penalty area and meeting the Barcelona striker’s
return delivery at the back post, the ball smacking off his face and flying
in.
– Pepe breaches Uruguay defence –
Suarez almost doubled the lead from a free-kick midway through the first
half that forced a good save from Rui Patricio.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo did not touch the ball once in the opposition area in
the first period. But with Uruguay sitting back, Portugal did equalise 10
minutes into the second half.
A corner was played short to Raphael Guerreiro, and his cross from the
left was headed home from close range by Pepe.
After nearly five and a half hours of football, it was the first goal
Uruguay had let in at this World Cup — indeed it was the first they had
conceded in 2018.
But their response to that was magnificent as they quickly retook the
lead, Rodrigo Bentancur teeing up Cavani for a magnificent first-time curling
strike into the far corner on his right foot.
Santos threw up his hands in disgust, realising that coming from behind a
second time against this Uruguay defence was going to be a tall order.
Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera did almost gift them another equaliser,
dropping a high ball at the feet of Bernardo Silva, but the Manchester City
man could only volley over.
Cavani then had to be helped off by Ronaldo before watching the rest of
the game from the dugout with ice on his calf.
His side held out, and if he recovers, Cavani can look forward to coming
up against his Paris Saint-Germain strike partner Kylian Mbappe, so
impressive for France against Argentina.
But Mbappe is unlikely to find the Uruguayan defence so accommodating.
“France have so many young players who are full of talent, some
experienced ones too, but once you get to the quarter-finals there are no
favourites,” warned Suarez.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0814 hrs