Cristiano Ronaldo lasted just a few more hours than Lionel Messi at the World Cup, the world’s best No. 7 following the world’s best No. 10 out of Russia. Edinson Cavani scored two goals for Uruguay vs Portugal as La Celeste held on late for a 2-1 victory on Saturday in Sochi, Russia.
Hours after Argentina went down 4-3 to France to see Messi exit the World Cup with a whimper, Ronaldo followed as Portugal couldn’t stop Cavani, who scored a goal in each half for Uruguay to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the second time in eight years.
Unfortunately for fans of La Celeste, the strike partnership Cavani and Luis Suarez is at risk as Cavani limped off the pitch with 20 minutes to go with an apparent hamstring injury. Ronaldo showed some class by helping him off the pitch, though you know he was just trying to hurry him off the pitch so Portugal could go back to searching for a late equalizer.
#MundialTelemundo ¡Qué no sea grave! Con un doblete, @ECavaniOfficial abandona el encuentro ante #POR por lesión pic.twitter.com/f6xC2nwtsq
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 30, 2018
Ronaldo’s World Cup came to an end with four goals in four matches, most coming in his incredible hat trick against Spain. Few will say he had a bad World Cup — it was certainly better than his Barcelona rival Messi — but after he inspired Portugal to a European championship in 2016, Ronaldo will have hoped for more.
But even if Portugal had found a late equalizer, Ronaldo would have missed the quarterfinal match against France after he picked up a yellow card for arguing a non-call when Ricardo Quaresma was taken out without a whistle in the closing minutes.
At least now he can shave that goatee off.
Ronaldo put in a good performance against Uruguay. He was positive from the start and was always on the move, trying to find open space against Atletico Madrid rivals Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez. But the Uruguayan center back pairing mostly shut him down.
The first goal of the match came for Uruguay vs Portugal following a ridiculously good give-and-go between Cavani and Luis Suarez. Cavani sent it across field to Suarez, who sent it back to Cavani in the box for him to head or chest or chin or something into the goal. However it went in, it was a perfect start for Uruguay and just what Portugal couldn’t afford against a defense that had yet to give up a goal in the World Cup.
What a connection between Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani!
Cavani lasered a cross field pass before this.Via: @TelemundoSports pic.twitter.com/5wDtpltP1z
— The18 (@the18com) June 30, 2018
Suarez nearly made it 2-0 with a free kick that was eerily similar to one he scored against Russia. This time, however, Portugal keeper Rui Patricio was there with a strong hand to push it away.
Rui Patrício! Great save to keep out the low free kick from Suárez, which had gone through the broken wall. Keeping #Portugal in the game.#URUPOR #URU #POR #ConquistaOSonho pic.twitter.com/2z5dFqqNzi
— Jason Foster (@JogaBonito_USA) June 30, 2018
The only other major highlight of the first half came when Luis Suarez faked a head injury you can about read here.
The Uruguayan defense was finally breached for the first time in the World Cup early in the 55th minute when former Real Madrid defender Pepe nodded in a corner kick. The La Celeste defenders were so focused on stopping Ronaldo they forgot about the giant noggin of Pepe.
Equalizer! Pepe brings Portugal level with a header off a short corner. pic.twitter.com/BHTUM4UUfo
Via: @TelemundoSports— The18 (@the18com) June 30, 2018
But the Uruguay vs Portugal match stayed level for just seven minutes as Cavani struck yet again to put La Celeste on top. This time, Uruguay went Route 1, with Cavani hitting it first time to curl past Rui Patricio to make it 2-1 Uruguay.
What. A. Finish.
Edinson Cavani pic.twitter.com/qHdP1VPuKY
Via: @TelemundoSports— The18 (@the18com) June 30, 2018
Ronaldo and Portugal came close a couple times but couldn’t find an equalizer. Now after a win for Uruguay vs Portugal, La Celeste face France on July 6.
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