FIFA World Cup 2018: Uruguay's Edinson Cavani knocks out Portugal to seal a quarter-final place

Edinson Cavani: Uruguay's "Man of the Moment"

His spectacular brace sends Portugal home

Uruguay  now await the "magnificent" France in the quarter-finals

Uruguay Vs Portugal

Cavani 7', 62'

Pepe 55'

Match Highlights

Edinson Cavani put in the best performance of his career scoring a brace which led Uruguay sealing qualification into the quarter-finals and also ending Portugal's WC campaign.

With both sides starting with their strongest line-ups, Uruguay grabbed the early advantage as Luis Suarez played a delicious cross from the left wing onto Cavani's head, and the PSG striker's header had the right amount of power and accuracy thumping Uruguay into the lead.

Cristiano Ronaldo rallied his side as they pushed in for the equalizer but the Uruguay defense who hadn't conceded a goal in the competition so far kept them at bay in the first half.

But, in the second-half, Portugal got the breakthrough in the 55th minute as an unmarked Pepe rose high to head in the equalizer. 

Cavani's spectacular second

Portugal's dominance lasted for a mere 5-6 minutes as Uruguay launched a devastating counter-attack which led to Cavani taking a first-time curling shot; spectacular from every angle, and bring the advantage back to his side.

Uruguay's night was going perfectly in every way but an injury to their goal-hero Cavani saw him limp off and he was also helped off the field by Ronaldo, making the stadium rise and applaud from all ends for the kind gesture.

But, Ronaldo who could have played his last ever World Cup couldn't save his side as Uruguay marched on with a tough challenge now awaiting against France who sent Ronaldo's compatriot Lionel Messi and Argentina home with a 4-3 defeat.

Final Conclusion:

Uruguay showed heart in yet another game in their World Cup campaign and so far, they are the only team to win all their four games.

They perhaps have one of the best center back partnerships in Europe at the moment with Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez, partnering at club as well as international level. Even though their all-around team isn't with the most recognized players in the world, they are giving it their all every single time they wear the Uruguay colors.

They also have the World Cup's fiercest strike-pair of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani; if both players stay fit, they will make it to the finals and perhaps even win the competition.

For Portugal, this World Cup may have been the last one for most of their players including Pepe, Jose Fonte, Joao Moutinho and notably, their captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

They do have a bright future awaiting ahead with their young crop of players who are capable of winning trophies in the future. It's sad to see both Ronaldo and Messi head out of the competition on the same day but Its Football and we all have to accept it.