Uruguay V Portugal World Cup 2018

Uruguay V Portugal

Synopsis in red

Top bets on today’s game: Uruguay V Portugal

I expect Portugal to just edge this game, two equally matched teams, but hopefully Ronaldo will be back to form for this game, as he was pretty woeful against Iran.

€4.00 Single
Uruguay v Portugal -Portugal Over 5 Corners

€2.00 Single
Uruguay v Portugal – To Score 2 or More Goals Cristiano Ronaldo 8/1

Full betting previews, read here>

Silly bet with Ronnie, silly when you consider how strong Godin and co are in the Uruguayan defence. But anyway my safety bet came up!

Beers: Round of 16 Beer World Cup:

As Uruguay didn’t qualify for my Beer World Cup last 16 (I couldn’t source any beer from Uru), I made Russia winner of Beer Group A. On the other side, Spain (and not Portugal) came second in my Beer Group B. So today we have a match up between Knightberg of Russia against Estrella Galicia of Spain.

Russia V Spain

Knightberg Estrella Galicia

Read who qualified for my Beer World Cup last 16 here

Close encounter. Knightberg and its Premium Lager was certainly very tasty and I enjoyed drinking it, but Estrella coming cold from the fridge was so, so good! But then it didn’t have as many tastes as Knightberg which was all tingly on the tongue. Hard to call that one, so gave it as a draw.

For the decider I had another Estrella, but this time up against an Oatmeal Stout. Now I love the lagers, but I love stouts more, a sure fire way to win the contest so. Russia edge it in a close encounter here, 2-1 to Russia who make the last eight of my Beer World Cup!

PreGame:

Uruguay finally showed us what they are all about when they easily dispatched of Russia in their last game. Before that, their first two games were pretty poor, so it was good to see a more attack minded approach.

I only got to see the first half of the Russian game. From what I saw Uruguay were well on top without having to break too much of a sweat. Stanislav Cherchesov changed most of his team, while Uruguay went with much of the same team they had in the first two games.

Was not long before Suárez got on the score sheet from a free, where he pretty much had a free shot on goal, as the wall didn’t protect the goalkeeper at all. Strange one to let a player of Suarez’s ability take a chance like that.

Cheryshev immediately had a great chance to equalise, but he hit it straight at the goalkeeper when it would have been easier to score. Albeit Muslera in the Uruguayan goals made a great save. But not long after, Cheryshev did indeed get on the score sheet, the only problem was it was for the other team, sticking a leg out he deflected a wayward Uruguay shot into his own net for an own goal. Things got worse for Russia later as Smolnikov was sent off for a second yellow after a silly lunging tackle. Game over for Russia inside about half an hour.

Cavani got another in the end to put Uruguay firmly to the top of the table and a date today with Portugal who they might beat if all things click for them.

Portugal, on the other hand, started off their world cup very brightly, but have kind of spurted and started in their last two games. They were pretty lucky against both Morocco, who had them on the ropes for long periods of their match, while against Iran they could have got knocked out proper!

Looked at the second half of the Iran game and boy was it incident packed, and not for all the right reasons. Quaresma had put Portugal ahead just before half time with a lovely goal, outside of his foot curling it in, lovely stuff.

Ronnie was fouled in the box, initially didn’t look like a penalty and I dont think Ronaldo protested that much either, but then the ref changed his mind, and had got VAR to recheck it. And sure enough it was a penalty. Looking at the slow-mo I guess there could be an argument that the defender clipped Ronaldo. Either way the big oaf missed it or to put it more correctly it was well saved by Iran goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand

Iran then went up the field and had a great chance but Pepe got in a last ditch tackle. Iran were getting closer.

There was quite a lot of diving in the game. Quaresma made a right fool of himself, rolling around like a baby. It is always the fellas with all the tats, its a sure sign of insecurity.

Then we had one of the big incidents of the night. Ronaldo’s hand brushed Pouraliganji’s chest and the poor soul nearly had a heart attack. I never knew Ronnie had ninja like strength, amazing. I thought the referee did very well, considering the pressure from the crowd and the Iran bench. He gave a yellow and should have given one to Pouraliganji for playacting, bloody clown. There is a reason why Iran dont play rugby.

And if that wasn’t bad enough, we still had the late drama of another penalty. This time awarded to Iran when, Portugal defender, Cedric Soares, accidentally brushed the ball with his hand, when he was jumping to head the ball, very slight, and in my opinion not a penalty. But of course he gave it. Ansarifard scored it, and Portugal had to endure a tense final few minutes as Iran went in search of a winner.

And the funny thing about it all is that Iran nearly won the match at the death. Mehdi Taremi was free at the far post and took a shot that most of the stadium must have thought was in, I certainly did, but alas it was the side netting. He will live with that chance for the rest of his live, and no doubt so will most Iranians.

A tense game overall but I dont like this VAR, complicates things too much. Portugal were playing Russia one minute then Uruguay the next and in the end nearly went out altogether. They will have it tough against Uruguay for sure, and hopefully today Ronaldo will get his act together for this match.

Another great game in what is to become one of those days in football that you will remember long into time. Both Ronaldo and Messi, two of the best, gone in the same day, wow, what a day!

Started brightly for the Ronnie, his first effort, although straight at the goalie, was strong and hit with great intent. But then a few minutes later, a long ball from Cavani, and what a ball it was, to Suarez who controlled it perfectly and without even looking up hit it straight to the far post, where, of course, Cavani smashed it home. BRILLIANT! Two players on the same wavelength, in perfection. As Glenn Hoddle said on ITV, “that is the longest one two you will ever see!”

Suarez deserves a huge amount of credit for his performance today, he played brilliant, left and right, covered all the pitch, was creative always, and gave a 110%. Ok we might dock him a few marks for his playacting, but overall a great game from Luis.

But it wasn’t just in attack. Godin, of course, the rock in defence, so, so hard to beat, while Cáceres, also at the back, performing well, up and down the pitch like a yo yo, while Laxalt in midfield also one that deserves some credit for the work he does within the team. All solid players who do what they have to do very well. The backbone what have you to a great attack.

Portugal did have a period of time where they came into it, and during this time, Pepe, the old cunt, scored from a free header. It really was about the only time that the back four took their eye off the ball and they were punished badly for that rare momentary lapse.

But funnily enough, that lead only lasted 7 minutes, as Cavani scored a cracker of a goal, placing it beyond the keeper to cap off a great striking performance in today’s game. Just to note though, I did think it was a little cowardly of him to limp off early, wouldn’t see Ronnie or Messi do that. A soft underbelly perhaps?

Portugal brought on Manuel Fernandes, who actually thought he was Ronaldo at one stage, as he took two pot shots from distance that went high over the bar. Just what Portugal needed when they were chasing the game, and then Ricardo Quaresmaa should have got a free on the edge of the box but the ref didn’t see so. The bitch ranted but when you dive every time you get touched sometimes it goes against you, the boy who cried wolf.

Was very impressed with Uruguay today, they really are growing into a good team, a team that could get to the final. Will they beat France? Tough one, it really is. There defence is solid for sure, and they have the strike force to worry France, but France have more individuals that can turn a game. I dont know, let me get back to you on that one!!

Music to get you in the mood

Sante Les Amis – Brasil (Uruguay) V Banda do Mar – Mais Ninguém (Portugal)