Who: Portugal vs Uruguay
The place: Lusail Stadium
When: Monday, November 28, 10pm (19:00 GMT)
FIFA rating: Portugal (9), Uruguay (14)
Uruguay midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur says the two-time former champions are relishing their standing as underdogs as they put together to face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal on the World Cup on Monday.
If that touch upon Sunday mirrored quiet confidence, there's a motive for it.
4 years in the past, an Edinson Cavani brace helped the South Individuals stun the then-European champions 2-1 within the final 16 of the World Cup. Portugal have been the favourites forward of that recreation too.
And following their drab 0-0 draw with South Korea on Thursday, La Celeste – as Uruguay are recognized – are as soon as once more trying ahead to making an attempt to overturn the percentages of their Group H conflict.
“We respect everybody, however the much less you recognize about Uruguay the higher it seems for us,” mentioned Tottenham participant Bentancur. “It’s higher to not entice consideration, to be humble, respect our opponents, and play all the identical.
“On the final World Cup we did it very well, ranging from behind.”
Certainly, a lot consideration shall be targeted on Portugal’s spectacular array of attacking expertise that features João Félix, Rafael Leão, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, in addition to Ronaldo. The Portugal talisman’s aim in opposition to Ghana made him the primary participant to have scored in 5 World Cups.
In veteran centre-back Pepe, 39, Portugal have one of the crucial skilled gamers within the event. Coach Fernando Santos mentioned Pepe would play on Monday, which might make him the second-oldest outfield participant ever to look in a World Cup match, after Cameroon nice Roger Milla.
Bentancur is trying ahead to arising in opposition to the Brazilian-born Porto defender.
“Everyone knows Pepe, I performed in opposition to him in 2018, he’s an awesome participant, he’s had an unbelievable profession,” mentioned Bentancur.
“Taking part in him shall be a great take a look at for us, however we even have our weapons. They've expertise, we do too, and we’ll attempt to assault their weaknesses.”
Portugal have recognized midfielder Federico Valverde as Uruguay’s hazard man.
“He’s a tricky participant to cease. He is an efficient crew participant, a powerful participant,” mentioned Bernardo. “He’s top-of-the-line midfielders on the planet, not simply with the ball however with out the ball too. He does lots to create house for his teammates.”
Valverde, 24, was named man of the match in opposition to South Korea in his first-ever World Cup match and has already gained the Champions League and La Liga with Actual Madrid.
He has actually kicked on this season, scoring extra objectives in 20 matches than in his earlier 148 video games for the membership throughout 4 campaigns. “He’s nonetheless the identical lad, humble, a companion, at all times collaborating very naturally,” mentioned Uruguay coach Diego Alonso. “His efficiency is stupendous, extraordinary, we’re very completely satisfied to have him.”
The Portuguese will qualify for the second spherical in the event that they beat Uruguay. But when Uruguay win, they'll leapfrog Ronaldo’s facet within the factors desk, and bolster their very own probabilities of qualifying for the Spherical of 16. If that occurs, they gained’t be underdogs any extra.
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