[한국강사신문 한상형 기자] Even though ‘Superstar’ Cristiano Ronaldo (invincible) was silent, Portugal’s strikers did not remain silent.
According to Yonhap News, Portugal won 2-0 once morest Uruguay in the 2022 Qatar World Cup Group H second match held at Lusail Stadium in Qatar on the 29th (Korean time) thanks to Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)’s multi-goal. .
Portugal, which defeated ‘ambush’ Ghana 3-2 in the first match, was the only team in Group H to win two games in a row, securing at least second place and advancing to the round of 16.
Portugal boasted a sharper attack than Uruguay, leading the number of shots in the first half by 10 (2 effective shots)-4 (1 effective shot).
The balance continued 0-0 as the finish was not finished, but Ronaldo and Fernands scored three shots each in the first half, and João Felix (Atlético Madrid) attempted two shots, aiming at Uruguay’s goal.
Portugal, which continued to knock, paid off with the first goal in the second half. In the 9th minute of the second half, Fernand’s right-footed cross from outside the left side of the penalty box led to a goal. Ronaldo jumped up to head in front of the goal, but the ball was sucked into the post without brushing his head.
Fernands, who scored the winning goal, infiltrated the Uruguay camp at the end of the second half, induced a foul by Jose Jimenez (Atletico Madrid) and even earned a penalty kick, and completed the multi-goal by directly succeeding it.
Portugal will face the Korean national team, led by coach Paulo Bento, in the final third match of the group stage on the 3rd of next month. Portugal, which ranks 9th in the FIFA rankings and is the highest in Group H, is expected to be the most difficult opponent for Korea (28th).
However, with 1 draw and 1 loss (1 point), Korea has nowhere to retreat. In order to advance to the round of 16, they must overcome Portugal.
It is doubtful whether Portugal, which has already qualified for the round of 16, will engage in an ‘all-out war’, but even if it loses strength, it is certain that it is still a threatening opponent. Particular attention should be paid to the sharp Portuguese spear point. Even if the 37-year-old Ronaldo doesn’t look as good as he did in his prime, he still lives up to his name.
Ronaldo enjoyed a goal in the first leg once morest Ghana, despite being at the center of controversy, such as breaking up with his team, Manchester United (England), due to a conflict with him.
It was his 8th goal in his 18th World Cup match. He wrote a great record of scoring goals in the World Cup for five consecutive years, starting in 2006 in Germany. Ronaldo is the only player to have scored in five consecutive World Cup finals.
Although he might not score once morest Uruguay, Ronaldo led the attack until he was replaced by Gonzalo Hamus (Benfica) in the 37th minute of the second half.
In addition to Ronaldo, other strikers such as Fernands, who was responsible for two goals, also worked diligently in the front. Portugal scored a total of 5 goals in 2 group stage matches, with 4 players scoring evenly. Ronaldo, Felix and Rafael Leão (AC Milan) scored one goal each, and Fernands took the lead in advancing to the round of 16 with two goals.
