Fernandes' double all but seals Portugal's passage to knockouts over Uruguay
Full Time: Portugal 2 Uruguay 0
In a game that lost its way the further it went along, Bruno Fernandes produced two sparks to help his side to a vital win. His first goal was a cross, in truth, and at first Cristiano Ronaldo was credited with the goal. However, after a check, Fernandes was handed the goal as Ronaldo was adjudged to have not touched the ball.
Uruguay had chances late on through Luis Suarez and Maxi Gomez, who hit the post, but it was a harsh penalty decision that ultimately downed the South Americans and it was Fernandes who tucked the penalty home in stoppage time to give Portugal the victory.
If you missed any of the action from tonight's game, read our full report, written by Chris Wilson, and check out the match stats to get a full flavour of the tie.
According to our momentum graphic, Uruguay had the better of the second half, but Portugal will certainly be the happier of the two teams as they head back to their hotels later tonight.
Second Half
99': And now he hits the post! That hat-trick still eludes him despite towo great chances to seal it.
98': Bruno Fernandes has a golden chance to wrap up a hat-trick but he fires a volley at Sergio Rochet.
94': The board shows nine minutes of added time, but it is unclear whether that starts now or if we have already played four of them.
93': It's been three minutes since the decision - Fernandes will take it for Portugal. To seal the game and it's SCORED!
He sends the keeper the wrong way and strokes it home. Portugal will be heading to the knockouts, whilst it will be a win or bust against Ghana for Uruguay.
90': Hang on a second, we have a VAR check for a handball by Jose Gimenez. It does strike his hand and the referee gives it, Suarez, unsurprisingly incredibly angry with the decision. In all fairness to Gimenez he was putting his hand on the ground to break his fall - it's a penalty by the letter of the law, but it doesn't feel right.
89': Ruben Dias is into the book after what looked like dissent to the referee.
86': Another sub, this time Mathias Olivera is taken off for Uruguay as Matias Vina come on. The South Americans really need to show some urgency if they are to get anything from this game.
82': Triple change for Portugal as they look to secure their passage to the round of 16. William Carvalho, Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix all leaving the pitch and they are replaced Joao Palhinha, Vitinha and Goncalo Ramos.
81': A wonderful cross nearly finds Suarez but Joao Cancelo get across to cover brilliantly and stop the former Barcelona striker.
79': The other sub Giorgian de Arrascaeta now gets through for Uruguay, but Diogo Costa reacts well to pounce and catch the ball. Pressure building and building on Portugal.
77': Joao Felix picks up a booking and gives Uruguay a good opportunity to cause havoc. The free-kick finds Suarez and his snapshot goes just wide and into the side netting. Since those changes in the 73rd minute, it has been all Uruguay.
75': Nearly an instant impact for Maxi Gomez as he strikes the post with his first shot. A stunning strike that just didn't curl enough for Uruguay.
73': Edinson Cavani is replaced by Suarez, whilst a bigger surprise is Darwin Nunez coming out of the game for Maximiliano Gomez.
71': You'd be forgiven for thinking these sides had played 120 minutes of football given the lack of running at the moment. Uruguay pick their way through Portugal's defence only to see a cross headed clear. Time for Luis Suarez.
69': Second substitution for Portugal. The man who picked up a knock about 15 minutes ago - Ruben Neves - is off the pitch for Rafael Leao.
65': It seems we have had a word from the dubious goals panel. After checking the replays, the opening Portugal goal has now been given to Bruno Fernandes as Cristiano Ronaldo did not get any touch on the ball. Ronaldo certainly claimed the goal, but it has been taken off him. For those playing any type of fantasy football, the assist for the goal now belongs to Raphael Guerreiro.
63': Valverde comes very close to charging down Diogo Costa's goal kick as he half blocks it - that could have gone anywhere - whilst at the other end, Ronaldo nearly connects with a cross but the ball is behind him.
62': First changes for Uruguay as Diego Godin and Matias Vecino are off for Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Facundo Pellistri.
60': Darwin Nunez now tries his luck from distance, but can only roll the ball into Diogo Costa's gloves.
58': At the other end, Cavani misses a good chance to get a volley on goal, as he doesn't connect well with the ball at all.
58': OUCH! Ronaldo is in some considerable pain after kicking Darwin Nunez instead of the ball. But he's back up without medical treatment and looks fine.
54': WHO ELSE?! RONALDO GIVES PORTUGAL THE LEAD!
You can't keep him out of the game! Bruno Fernandes chips in a delightful cross and Ronaldo is there to meet it, giving Portugal a vital lead over Uruguay.
52': We have two pitch invaders, one appears to be carrying a rainbow flag across the pitch. However the cameras cut away from the invader. On the pitch Joao Felix hits the side netting!
50': Tackling back, Neves looks to have picked up a dead leg in a challenge. A really sore one that he will hope he can run off.
48': Early set play for Portugal to be taken by Bruno Fernandes - it is played back to Ruben Neves, who can't clear the first man.
46': Time for the second 45, will we see one team start to take control of this encounter?
Half Time
20:48 CET: A half full of needle, and one of those causing most of it had the best chance of the half in what would have been one of the goals of the tournament. But Rodrigo Bentancur could not capitalise as his shot was saved by Diogo Costa. It was the closest either side came to scoring as Portugal bossed possession with Ronaldo threatening. However it is goalless at the break.
First Half
45': Mathias Olivera joins Rogrigo Bentancur in the referee's notebook for a foul on Bruno Fernandes. Three minutes to be added on as Fernandes' corner is hooked dealt with a defender in white.
43': Oh dear. An early forced change for Portugal. Nuno Mendes goes down heavily and seems to have hurt his neck. He is replaced by Raphael Guerreiro.
40': Free kick for Uruguay - Ruben Neves booked for that foul - and Portugal semi clear it before fully clearing the next cross.
38': When those crosses are at Ronaldo, no one can compete. He gets the ball down on his chest inside the box and pokes the ball past the goalkeeper only for a Uruguayan defender to clear the ball.
36': A Portugal chance goes wide before Bentancur goes on another mazy run and needs get the return pass to cap it all off. He looks absolutely furious - already on a booking, he will need to be careful not to let his emotions get the better of him.
33': What a run from Bentancur! He takes the ball on the halfway line, beats two players and it is only the legs of Diogo Costa that denies him a quite brilliant goal. The best moment of the half for Uruguay.
30': Bruno Fernandes gets the round the back to head across the box, however Rochet is equal and then the flag goes up for offside. Fernandes needs to time those runs better.
24': Portugal doing a much better job in keeping the ball compared to Uruguay, but that back five are already proving a tough nut to crack for Ronaldo and co.
19': And like most of his free kicks since the last World Cup, he hits the wall. It does, however, spin away for a corner, which Fernandes sends out for a throw-in to Uruguay on the opposite side of the pitch.
18': Vecino is penalised for a tackle on Nuno Mendes - a free kick in Ronaldo territory.
17': Portugal win the ball high and feed Joao Felix - his shot is deflected just over the bar for a corner. Portugal on top in the early going.
12': Gimenez rises highest from a Uruguay corner but he can't keep his header down. Before that Darwin Nunez was getting the crowd going behind the goal. There is certainly some spice in this game already.
10': A really good pace to this game early on with Ronaldo involved primarily as a target man. Bruno Fernandes has a low shot before trying to slip through Joao Felix, who he cen't quite find.
6': Rodrigo Bentancur picks up an early booking for a late challenge on Ruben Dias - he's got a few words to say as well after stepping on the centre back's foot.
4': Ronaldo has come to play. He shoulders a long ball into the path of William Carvalho and he volleys wide.
3': Similar formations for both sides tonight and it is Mathias Olivera with the first shot on goal, but it sails wide and that won't be troubling Diogo Costa in the Portugal goal.
1': We are all set for game four of day nine at the World Cup. Portugal get us going.
Pre-match
19:55 CET: Both anthems sang impeccably, we are moments from kick-off!
19:11 CET: The final game of the day comes from Lusail Iconic Stadium, where both Uruguay and Portugal bring out their old guard for this Group H clash.
Ronaldo, who scored against Ghana in their 3-2 opening victory, starts up top once more, but Cavani comes in for Suarez to partner Darwin Nunez. Uruguay failed to have a single shot on target in their 0-0 draw with South Korea last week, and they will be hoping for from their frontmen tonight.
Kick off is at 20:00 CET and our live audio commentarye begins at 19:55 CET.
Team News
Uruguay coach Diego Alonso dropped striker Luis Suarez to the bench and brought forward Edinson Cavani into his starting 11 for Monday's World Cup Group H match against Portugal who also shuffled up their team.
After Uruguay's 0-0 draw with South Korea in their opening match of the tournament, Alonso also gave starts to defenders Sebastian Coates and Guillermo Varela in the place of attacking midfielder Facundo Pellistri and defender Martin Caceres.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos drafted in veteran defender Pepe, 39, to replace the injured Danilo Pereira in the centre of his back line while captain Cristiano Ronaldo continues to lead the attack.
Santos also moved to strengthen his midfield by bringing in William Carvalho to take the place of Otavio who was an injury concern in the build-up to Portugal's second match in Group H which they lead after beating Ghana 3-2 last week.
Portugal: Diogo Costa, Joao Cancelo, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes, Ruben Neves, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, William Carvalho, Joao Felix, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Uruguay: Sergio Rochet, Sebastian Coates, Diego Godin, Jose Maria Gimenez, Guillermo Varela, Mathias Olivera, Rodrigo Bentancur, Matias Vecino, Federico Valverde, Edinson Cavani, Darwin Nunez.
