The second batch of FIFA World Cup group matches comes to fruition on Monday evening, with the late game featuring a showdown between Portugal and Uruguay.
Portugal are the favourites heading into this clash, although the Uruguayans are more than capable of springing a surprise on the European heavyweights.
Portugal ran out 3-2 winners against Ghana, in what was a captivating and controversial contest at Stadium 974. The Portuguese were awarded a dubious penalty decision, converted by Cristiano Ronaldo for the first of five goals in the second-half.
This Ghana 🇬🇭 v Portugal 🇵🇹 gave us one of the most entertaining games in this World Cup so far.
— Mimi Fawaz (@MimosaFawaz) November 24, 2022
Twists and turns at the ends. #FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/gNoSucNH5m
Portugal’s captain and record goalscorer is the first player to score at five World Cup tournaments. Turning 38 in February, Ronaldo has scored 118 goals (and counting) for his country, with eight of them coming at the World Cup finals.
Ronaldo is currently a free agent after mutually agreeing to terminate his contract at Manchester United. It is unclear where the Portuguese icon’s next destination will be following the World Cup, with very few suitors among clubs in the UEFA Champions League. Ronaldo has scored a mega total 819 goals throughout his eminent career.
In the event Cristiano remains unwanted in European football, he could find himself playing Major League Soccer (MLS) alongside long-time adversary Lionel Messi.
Out of this world 🇵🇹
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 24, 2022
🖐 Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the first man to score at five FIFA World Cups#FIFAWorldCup | @Cristiano pic.twitter.com/3UKqXLsZWd
Another two stalwarts of the game, Edinson Cavani and Luis Suárez could also be involved on Monday evening.
Although they are no longer at the peak of their powers, the pair of Uruguayan centre-forwards are among the greatest goalscorers of their generation. They are the two highest-scoring players in Uruguay national team history, with a combined 126 goals for La Celeste.
This will be the nations’ first meeting at the World Cup, after the first came four years ago in Russia. The teams battled in the Round of 16 after Uruguay topped their group and the Portuguese narrowly came runners-up in theirs. Two goals by Cavani steered La Celeste into the quarters, with a 2-1 win.
This is more than likely to be the final time Ronaldo, Cavani, and Suárez all share a pitch. All in all, it may also be the final chapter in one or more of their fabled international careers.
(Photo: Getty Images)
In their World Cup opener, Uruguay settled for a goalless draw with South Korea and, compared to the Portugal-Ghana encounter, it was a rather humdrum affair with one shot on target all game. Uruguay have the squad and character – as well as their rich history at the World Cup – to progress far at Qatar 2022.
The South Americans have progressed to the knockouts at each of the last three editions of the World Cup, reaching the semi-finals in South Africa, the last-16 in Brazil 2014, and the quarter-finals last time out in Russia.
Earlier on Monday, Ghana overcame South Korea in a five goal thriller at Education City Stadium, taking the Black Stars joint-top with Portugal.
A win for Portugal would see them through to the Round of 16, while triumph for Uruguay would lift them above the Seleção in Group H. A stalemate would leave the South Americans in need of a win in their third and final group game with Ghana on Friday.
Portugal are 2.00 favourites to take victory on Monday; Uruguay are 4.20 to win; 3.40 for a draw. Cristiano Ronaldo is the leading contender to score the first goal, at odds of 5.00, or 2.60 to score anytime on the night. (Bet365)
