Group H derby at the World Cup in Qatar - Portugal will play Uruguay at 20:2018, which eliminated them in the round of XNUMX in XNUMX
The match with Ghana was a big test for Portugal at the start of the World Cup in Qatar. Not only because of its importance, but also because of the public's desire to see how the rest of the team will react to the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo.
CR7 had a difficult time at Manchester United, the crisis spread to the national team as well, so social media circulated videos of Bruno Fernandes barely shaking hands with Ronaldo, and then the scene when Joao Cancelo refuses to accept a joke from one of the greatest football players in history.
All that, if you could say so, remained behind the Portuguese, who opened the World Cup with a victory over the "black stars", celebrated 3:2 and immediately confirmed that they are the favorites to advance from Group H to the knockout phase.
Ronaldo scored the first goal, from the penalty spot, and became the first player in history to score in five appearances at the World Cup. He wants to confirm his true form tonight (20 p.m.) against Uruguay in a derby that could launch the Portuguese into the top 16.
"We have to be careful. Uruguay is a team that presses the opponent in every part of the field, it does it constantly and forces it to make a mistake. When they succeed, then it's half a goal for the Uruguayans," said Portugal coach Fernando Santos.
The hardened coach is not expected to make any changes in relation to the duel with Ghana. One, however, he has to, because stopper Danilo Pereira is injured.
"If he won't be able to play, and it's unlikely he will be able to, there's no problem. We have enough stoppers, we trust everyone, otherwise he wouldn't be at the World Cup," said Santosh, who probably won't be able to count on Otavi either.
At the start, the Uruguayans played without goals against South Korea. They were closer to victory, as Diego Godin and Federico Valverde hit the crossbar.
Before tonight's match at Lusail, the Uruguayans are motivated by remembering the match from Russia four years ago - when they eliminated Portugal in the round of XNUMX before being stopped by France in the quarterfinals.
"Everything is different now, this match doesn't have many similarities with that, but it would be great if it ended the same way," said "Urus" coach Diego Alonso and added:
"Portugal is very strong, with top players and a great coach who guarantees experience and knowledge. I want us to impose a rhythm, to ask questions, but that is surely the opponent's plan as well. Will we be more offensive than against Korea? It's not a matter of determination, but of what the game dictates. We want to win, there is no dilemma".
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