Portugal are through to the last 16 of the World Cup thanks to Bruno Fernandes, as his brace proved the difference in a 2-0 victory over Uruguay.
After registering two assists in the opening match, the Manchester United star continued his stellar tournament by netted two goals in Lusail to see his country through to the next round with a match to spare.
Cristiano Ronaldo thought he had scored a second-half header although the striker did not get a touch to Fernandes’ cross which ended up in the net.
Portugal’s deserved lead came just a minute after a protester had invaded the pitch carrying a rainbow flag and wearing a t-shirt which read “Save Ukraine” and “Respect for Iranian women”.
Uruguay almost equalised when substitute Maxi Gomez hit a post before Luis Suarez missed from close-range – but they were punished in the 90th minute as a VAR check saw Jose Maria Gimenez adjudged to have handled the ball in the area and, with Ronaldo having been brought off, Fernandes tucked away the spot kick.
Portugal dominated a drab first half yet Uruguay had the best chance when Rodrigo Bentancur wonderfully weaved through the defence, but was denied one of the great World Cup goals by goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
Nuno Mendes left the pitch in tears after being forced off injured although things did improve for Portugal in the second half once the game had restarted following the protest from a supporter.
Fernandes floated a cross into the box for Ronaldo, who had a clear header at goal. However, he did not get a touch to the ball which carried on through into the corner.
Uruguay rallied with 15 minutes remaining and started playing some of their best football. Gomez struck a post with a first-time effort from the edge of the box, Suarez stabbed an effort into the side-netting when he should have scored and Giorgian de Arrascaeta had a chip saved by Costa.
They were made to pay for their missed chances at the end of normal time when Gimenez’s trailing hand touched the ball as he lunged into a tackle on Fernandes, which earned a penalty awarded by referee Alireza Faghani after he was instructed to check the pitchside monitor.
Group H
Pos. P Pts Form
1 Portugal 2 6 WW
2 Ghana 2 3 LW
3 S Korea 2 1 DL
4 Uruguay 2 1 DL
Portugal are through to the last 16, along with France and Brazil, but still need a point to be declared Group H winners. Ghana are the only remaining rival for top spot, but the Africans could still finish behind both South Korea and Uruguay.
A point for Ghana coupled with a win for Korea would also make goal difference – and possibly goals scored – the ultimate adjudicator.
What else happened at the World Cup on Monday?
A manic Monday at the World Cup kicked off with Cameroon coming back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 with Serbia in Group G. It is a result that does little to help either side, who both needed to win to boost their qualification hopes although head into their last matches still with a chance of finishing second.
The goals continued to flow as Ghana secured a crucial 3-2 victory over South Korea in Group H, leaving them with all to play for in their final match against Uruguay.
Brazil secured a place in the knockout stages by edging past Switzerland 1-0 thanks to Casemiro’s goal.