World Cup

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World Cup | Group Stage

Nov 28, 2022 at 7pm UK

Portugal
2 - 0
Uruguay

Fernandes (54', 90+3' pen.)
Neves (38'), Felix (77'), Dias (89')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Bentancur (6'), Olivera (44')

World Cup 2022: Reasons for Portugal to be confident of beating Uruguay

By Ben Sully

Published: November 27 2022 | 18:59

Last updated: November 28 2022 | 21:28

Ahead of Monday's World Cup game between Portugal and Uruguay, Sports Mole looks at three reasons why Portugal will be confident of claiming a victory.

Portugal have the chance to begin the World Cup 2022 group stage with consecutive victories after beating Ghana 3-2 in their opening game.

Although neither side were able to open the scoring in the first half, goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix and Rafael Leao secured a narrow victory.

With a win under their belt, the focus will now turn to Monday's game at the Lusail Iconic Stadium where Portugal will face Uruguay.

Here, Sportsmole looks at three reasons why Portugal can be confident of claiming all three points.

Postive group stage results

Portugal's Bruno Fernandes in action with Ghana's Inaki Williams at the World Cup on November 24, 2022 © Reuters

Portugal may still be waiting for their first-ever World Cup trophy, but they have developed a habit of being a tough team to beat in the group stage.

Although four points were not enough to secure a place in the knockout rounds eight years ago, they progressed to the last 16 in 2010 and 2018.

Portugal have managed to win seven and draw five of their last 13 group games, while their only defeat in that period came against Germany at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Meanwhile, they have recorded victories in their second match at the World Cup in five of their last seven appearances at the tournament, including a narrow 1-0 win over Morocco four years ago.

Ronaldo's World Cup success

Cristiano Ronaldo scores a penalty for Portugal against Ghana at the World Cup on November 24, 2022 © Reuters

While he may be without a club following his controversial interview which sealed his Manchester United exit, Ronaldo put that drama to one side as he led the line in Portugal's 3-2 victory over Ghana.

Despite spurning a couple of chances, Ronaldo managed to find the net from the penalty spot in the second half, and in the process, he made history to become the first player to score at five consecutive men's World Cups, while he also continued his impressive record in the group stage.

The 37-year-old has scored eight goals at the World Cup, and all of those strikes have taken place in the group stage, including four in the 2018 World Cup where he registered a hat-trick in an enthralling 3-3 draw with Spain.

Although he is still yet to find the net in the last 16, he will now look to score in Portugal's first two group games, just like he did in Russia four years ago.

Recent form

Although Portugal have lost narrowly to both Switzerland and Spain in their last five games, they have also thrashed the Czech Republic and Nigeria 4-0 in that period, while they have the chance to claim a third consecutive victory on Monday.

They have also enjoyed a number of positive results since being knocked out of the European Championships by Belgium in June last year.

Since losing 1-0 to Roberto Martinez's side in the last 16, they have won 12 of their previous 17 games, scoring at least two goals in all of those victories.

As well as demonstrating their quality in the final third, Portugal been resilient in defence despite conceding twice against Ghana, having kept nine clean sheets in their last 15 matches.