Uruguay, the tiny nation with a population of 3,000,000, but a rich soccer history, including hosting and winning the first World Cup in 1930, as well as winning it again in 1950, and not even losing their first World Cup match until 1954, have moved on to the Quarter-finals for just the second time since 1970. It took two moments of brilliance from Edinson Cavani to see Uruguay do enough to move on to a matchup with France in the Quarter-finals. It was a chippy match that featured some physical play from both sides, but saw no players booked until Ronaldo picked up a yellow late in stoppage time as he vehemently disagreed with a call from the referee to not award Portugal a free-kick from a few yards outside of the right side of the box.
The match started with a flurry as Luis Saurez found Edinson Cavani all the way across as Cavani made a beautiful run to the far post, and he was able to smash it in to give Uruguay the early 1-0 lead in just the 7'. It went off Cavani's face and slammed into the net for a great back-and-forth between the two superstars. After the goal, things settled significantly and ultimately the first half ended with Portugal having had superior possession, but having been largely toothless. Uruguay controlled the match through the first 45' and were content to take their 1-0 lead into the intermission.
Portugal were much more intense in their play to start the second half. The added intensity lead to a great opportunity in the 55' as Pepe was able to head it in off of a Portugal corner. The timing was perfect as Pepe rose up at the correct time from the back post and powered a header in to tie it 1-1 and restore Portugal's hopes.
While Portugal were flying high following the equalizer, Uruguay did not mope around and came right back. They won a ball from Pepe in the 62' that created an opportunity in the Portugal third. Bentancur delivered a great pass across and it was Cavani once again, this time from the left side, who delivered a one-touch strike from his right boot as he curled it perfectly into the far corner of the net. It was a truly high-class effort from Cavani that left Patricio no chance and put Uruguay back on top 2-1.
The play continued to get continually more aggressive as time went on and Cavani was caught in the physical play and limped off very gingerly in the 71', causing some serious concern for Uruguay. It was a nice act of sportsmanship from Ronaldo, as the Portuguese Captain helped Cavani limp off the pitch. Stuani came on for the injured star as Uruguay were left to defend for a few minutes with just 10 men, but proved up to the task. Cavani looked to be icing his left calf from the bench area. Play continued on as Portugal started to push more looking for the late equalizer.
Ronaldo caused a brief moment of excitement in the 81' as he dribbled past 2 defenders but couldn't get past the third to create the sliver of space he needed once in the box, and his effort was poked away. Uruguay looked to stiffen once again as Portugal continued to pour men forward. They were able to get one into the box off a beautiful build-up in the 92' but ultimately couldn't get a clean strike on it to find the ever-important equalizer. A late foul in the closing moments of the match from outside of the box on the right side was waved off by the referee as Queresma went down from the contact on the thigh. It could have been called a foul, giving Portugal another opportunity, but it was a close play, and ultimately the referee let it go.
Portugal got one last gasp at the tying goal as they won a corner deep into the 96'. They brought everyone forward, including Patricio from goal as the corner-kick was set to be the last action of the match. Patricio went up in the middle of the box and then went down to the bemoans of the Portugal players and bench for a possible hand-ball on Uruguay. The play was reviewed in Moscow and ultimately deemed not to be a handball - the correct call - as both Patricio and the Uruguay defender made contact together and the ball hit the side of Patricio's head and the upper arm of the defender at the same time. The last effort wasn't quite enough and the World Cup came to an end for another superstar in this tournament as Cristiano Ronaldo went out in the Round of 16 and the European Champions were done-in by two brilliant Cavani goals.