Review Of The 2022 World Cup, Portugal Vs Uruguay: La Celeste Don't Want Their Decree As Determined By Another Team

Uruguay national team (Twitter @uruguay)

JAKARTA - Portugal could be the second team after France to make sure they qualify for the 2022 World Cup group stage with one game remaining, if they beat Uruguay in their second match on Tuesday morning tomorrow.

However, despite the difficulty of developing his game during the draw against South Korea, Uruguay is not an opponent that Portugal can easily beat even.

Uruguay, who has won the World Cup twice, even eliminated Portugal 2-1 in the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup. Both Uruguay goals were scored by Edinson Cavani, who is still involved in Uruguay in the 2022 World Cup.

Although Cristiano Ronaldo set a record by scoring in his fifth World Cup in a 3-2 win over Ghana, Portugal lacked inspiration and had to do a lot to get rid of the World Cup's poor form since the 2006 World Cup semi-finals.

Uruguay himself, although failing to score a goal or even failing to make a chance on target against South Korea three days ago, played calmly and organized.

Full of a combination of young and senior players, Uruguay appears confident where every pressure the opponent never makes them nervous.

However, Portuguese coach Fernando Santos admits he has no trouble facing Uruguay's game because he knows what his team has to improve on.

"There's nothing I'm worried about because I know my players can do better than that," Santos said. "I'm sure they can perform much better than this."

Portugal, who used to perform substandardly during the World Cup group stage, this time should not do anything like that, because Uruguay could exploit that gap.

The cycle must stop during the match against Uruguay because if it continues it will endanger Portugal itself considering that its last opponent in the group phase, South Korea, tends to appear more aggressive when opponents appear vulnerable and this is what makes them once overthrow Germany at the 2018 World Cup.

Uruguay himself wants to avoid defeat against Portugal so that his destiny remains in their own hands before undergoing the final match against Ghana.

Uruguay looks good since Diego Alonso coached the team late last year and turned things around in the qualifying round. All the players are ready to be fielded, except Ronald Araujo who is recovering from thigh surgery.

Alonso's defense line looks solid against South Korea, but he is also blessed with varied attack options, which include Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, Darwin Nunez, and Facundo Pellistri. They all looked dangerous against South Korea.

Alonso knew the match against Portugal would be fierce and could be determined in the final minutes of the match. This match is also very decisive for Uruguay's fate.

Predictions of the first eleven players

Portugal (4-3-3): Diogo Costa; Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Danilo Pereira, Raphael Guerreiro; Bernardo Silva, Ruben Neves, William Carvalho; Bruno Fernandes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix.

Uruguay (4-3-3): Sergio Rochet; Martin Caceres, Diego Godin, Jose Maria Gimenez, Mathias Olivera; Federico Valverde, Rodrigo Bentancur, Matias Vecino; Facundo Pellistri, Luis Suarez, Darwin Nunez.

🔜 ¡𝗝𝘂𝗲𝗴𝗮 𝗨𝗿𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗮𝘆!🏆 @FIFAWorldCup 🆚 @selecaoportugal 🏟 Estadio Lusail 🗓 28/11🕑 22h (QAT) | 16h (URU)#ElEquipoQueNosUne pic.twitter.com/M8Z1m4mtRU

— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) November 27, 2022

Important statistics of both teams

Portugal and Uruguay have met three times before. Both won one match, including the 2018 World Cup which Uruguay won.

Portugal made their debut in the 1966 World Cup in England by beating defending Brazilian champions, reaching the semifinals and finishing third place which has so far been the best.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the top scorer in men's football history with 118 goals for his national team.

Portugal started the Group H campaign with a 3-2 thrilling win over Ghana where Ronaldo became the first to score in five World Cups.

Uruguay won the World Cup twice, respectively on Montevideo in 1930 and Brazil in 1950.

Uruguay finished third behind Brazil and Argentina in the South American zone qualifiers. Luis Suarez scored the most goals with eight goals.

Uruguay drew 0-0 against South Korea in their opening match in Group H.