Bruno Fernandes scored twice as Portugal beat Uruguay 2-0 in their second group match on Monday at the FIFA World Cup; the results put Portugal in the round of 16 alongside France and Brazil.

The job was simple and clear for both sides, a win or wait till the final group game to secure qualification into the round of 16.

For Uruguay, a win would have put them on four points and put them ahead of Ghana, who had beaten South Korea 3-2 in the group’s second game earlier in the day.

Portugal knew that a win would put their final group game against South Korea as a formality, at least from the perspective of the Europeans. Therefore, it wasn’t a surprise when Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, dominated the first exchanges, but neither side could lead at halftime.

Portugal led nine minutes after the break as Bruno Fernandes scored from a cross that landed in the net, although Ronaldo felt he had the final touch on the ball. Bruno Fernandes sealed the win in second-half stoppage time when he slotted home a penalty.

The win sees Portugal as the third team to go through just hours after Brazil defeated Switzerland to progress into the round of 16, while France was the first team to move into the round of 16 on Saturday after beating Denmark.

Portugal will play South Korea on Friday in their third and final group game, while Uruguay will face Ghana simultaneously.

South Korea are winless after playing out a draw against Uruguay in the first game while losing 3-2 to Ghana in a pulsating game earlier on Monday.

Monday saw the highest-scoring day at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar yet, with fourteen goals across four matches.

Cameroon and Serbia started the day with a six-goal thriller in a 3-3 draw, while Ghana pipped South Korea 3-2 before Brazil beat Switzerland 1-0.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu