World Cup round of 16 will kick start today with winners of the first World Cup facing the current Euro champions. Uruguay has been one of the best sides of the tournament coming into the match as they have conceded 0 goals in the group stage and won all their fixtures including a 3-0 emphatic win over hosts Russia while Portugal World Cup has not gone up to the plan as they are saved by individual brilliance of Ronaldo in first two games and of Quaresma in their final group game.
Coach Talk
Fernando Santos(Portugal Coach)
“They are a typical South American side,” said Santos.
“It’s not just in this World Cup that they have not been conceding goals. It has been like that for the whole of 2018. Oscar Tabarez is the longest-serving international manager. That means he has a very strong relationship with his players.”
Tabarez(Uruguay Coach)
“Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best strikers in the world,” Tabarez said. “He has a great potential obviously and in planning the match, especially focusing on the opponent and considering the level that every player has … what Ronaldo has on top of the qualities is that he’s the leader of that team.”
Key Players
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo has already made a mark on the competition by scoring the first hattrick of the tournament against Spain and a crucial goal against Morroco in a 1-0 Portugal game. He can finish from anywhere and in the form that can scare any opponents in the world. Portugal will hope their star man will be on the scoresheet and help them to go through Round of 16.
Strengths
- Holding on to the ball
- Headers and Finishing
- Long Shot
Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez has proved to be a leader for Uruguay in front of goal over the years as he is their leading all-time goalscorer. He made his mark over the World Cup in the second game when he scored a goal in 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia which sealed Uruguay place in Round of 16 and scored another important goal in 3-0 win over Russia.
Strengths
- Key Passes
- Finishing
Stats
- Uruguay is yet to concede a single goal at the 2018 World Cup, facing just six shots on target in three games – the last South American team not to concede in their first four matches of a World Cup tournament were Brazil in 1986.
- This will be the third encounter between Uruguay and Portugal and their first at the World Cup. They haven’t faced each other since July 1972 when they drew 1-1 at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã stadium. Portugal is so far unbeaten in their two previous meetings (W1 D1).
- Luis Suarez has scored seven World Cup goals for Uruguay, second only to Oscar Miguez (8) – Suarez scored a brace against South Korea in his only previous World Cup appearance in the round of 16 back in 2010.
- If he plays, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (37) will equal Bastian Schweinsteiger (38) as the player with the most appearances at World Cups + European Championships.
Stats References:- Opta Stats
Predicted Line-ups
Uruguay XI: Muslera; Caceres, Gimenez, Godin, Laxalt; Nandez, Vecino, Torreira, Bentancur, Suarez, Cavani
Portugal XI: Patricio, Cedric, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro, B. Silva, Carvalho, Moutinho, Fernandes, Ronaldo, Guedes
Prediction
Uruguay 2-1 Portugal
Santos Portugal has been struggling so far and Uruguay defensive line has been in good shape lately. So Uruguay might be able to see off Portugal to reach quarter finals.
Beyond Minute 90 