2018 FIFA World Cup Round of 16: Uruguay vs. Portugal

[Baphomet]

Uruguay vs. Portugal

June 30th, Sochi Fisht Stadium

[CalamityX12]

End them!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rust_Cohle]

End them!!!!!!!!!!!!

Agreed, Portugal play some dire football so it'd be nice to see Uruguay advance.

[Eskobar13]

Well, logic says we should get beaten pretty handily...


But recent history somehow says we win on a scrappy play inside the box or a Ronaldo header in OT. Maybe shootout. Either way, don't bet against Portugal while F. Santos is the coach.

[Mauro Pedrosa]

Uruguay has been good, but obviously going with my team PORTUGAL.

Also hope Argentina wins and we get CR7 vs Messi in the quarters!!!

[AK47MVP]

Uruguay is much better as a team. Portugal has best player. I feel Portugal's luck of escaping countless games they deserved to lose is about to end. Uruguay 2-0.

[Lord Eder]

It's a tough one to get a read on IMO. Because I feel like Portugal's young stars have not played anywhere near their potential. Raphael Guerreiro doesn't seem to be in form. Joao Mario, Goncalo Guedes and Bernardo Silva have not been able to string anything together through the midfield. People talk about Santos and his tactics but I think their inability to control anything in the midfield and in the attacking third is just as much to blame for them having to play defensively and absorb chances.

Based on that you don't expect Uruguay with quality strikers in Suarez and Cavani to squander oppurtunities like Portugal's opponents did in the groups. Initially I think It's easy to see 2-0, one from each. But they're a few factors that I think muddy up my judgement here. From the Uruguay side, it's that Giminez is out. A team with an otherwise solid back line, now has to rely on Sebastien Coates who has proven to be prone to mistake. It could very easily take just one and then for Portugal to park the bus.

From the Portuguese side there are several factors. One I already touched on before that the young guys have tons of room for improvement and are certainly more capable than they've shown. Second is the obvious one and that is that Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Portugal, and as shown against Spain could very well drag a struggling team to a result against a quality side. And third, that I think may be overlooked is Rui Patricio's ability to absolutely steal a game. I feel like we're more likely to see Portugal on the wrong end of possession again, and Cavani and Suarez having their go at chances. But if Rui is on point and focused like he has shown he can be, then he just may nullify a few golden oppurtunities for them.

We could be looking at a 1-0 Portugal game from a blunder on the defensive line of Uruguay

We could be looking at a game where Uruguay dominates the chances but ultimately can't find the net and Portugal scores in the 114th minute by an unlikely hero like William Carvalho off a corner kick

We could be looking at the crap shoot of penalties

But what I think will happen, and I stand by my original comment regarding this game, is that Portugal will continue to struggle through the midfield and Suarez and Cavani will have their way with the back line. 2-0 Uruguay. However, there is also the little voice in the back of my head saying that this Portuguese squad, under Santos, has proven to do nothing but get results and how do you go against that?

[Lord Eder]

Oh

and there's also FIFA probably salivating at a potential Ronaldo v. Messi quarter final

lol

[Raps in 4]

This one should be good.

[EArl]

Hope Uruguay wins. The better team, but I wouldn't be surprised if Ronaldo pulls off a last minute goal.

[CalamityX12]

Obviously I want Uruguay to win.

With that said, we should get a good game. I'd be surprised but not really if that makes sense if Uruguay holds more possession.

At the moment, Ronaldo is Portugal's saving grace however Godin and Jimenez(if starts) have plenty of experience with him.

Suarez and Cavani with Bentacour linking up, should throw daggers at the opposing defense.

It's a good matchup for the rd of 16, not one side particularly overpowering the other. If anything its a good start for either side to build momentum on to the next rd.

[Lord Eder]

Obviously I want Uruguay to win.

With that said, we should get a good game. I'd be surprised but not really if that makes sense if Uruguay holds more possession.

At the moment, Ronaldo is Portugal's saving grace however Godin and Jimenez(if starts) have plenty of experience with him.

Suarez and Cavani with Bentacour linking up, should throw daggers at the opposing defense.

It's a good matchup for the rd of 16, not one side particularly overpowering the other. If anything its a good start for either side to build momentum on to the next rd.

Last I read was that Gimenez will be available for Saturday. Which is a huge turn of events IMO.

[Eskobar13]

It's a tough one to get a read on IMO. Because I feel like Portugal's young stars have not played anywhere near their potential. Raphael Guerreiro doesn't seem to be in form. Joao Mario, Goncalo Guedes and Bernardo Silva have not been able to string anything together through the midfield. People talk about Santos and his tactics but I think their inability to control anything in the midfield and in the attacking third is just as much to blame for them having to play defensively and absorb chances.

I think Santos has done a **** job and despite the miraculous win but this is so true. Mario has been scared of having the ball and really passive, Bruno Fernandes should start on the basis of his tenacity and aggressiveness alone. Bernardo seems like he's scared to have the ball and take risks, Guedes the same and no-one else has the ability right now to dictate pace and control the play besides William (who can't do it alone for sure).

I'd like to see both Fernandes playing but I know its utopic

[Maury2423]

The keys to this game is going to be Torreira and Laxalt imho. I'm assuming Uruguay is going to come out with the same 3-5-2 line that really turns into a 3-4-1-2 when in possession then a 4-1-3-2 when defending.

I think Laxalt is going to be key on the left wing in terms of making dangerous runs but more importantly recovering when Portugal counters.

And of course Torriera.... I really expect him to be the most important player on the field for Uruguay. I can see him being Cristiano's shadow the whole game and trying to break up any balls on the ground to him while Godin and Gimenez take care of anything in the air.

Uruguay's ability to close down space in the midfield is very important in this game.

In the end, I believe we'll see Uruguay advancing with a 2-0 score

[J-Mezzy]

Uruguay will win.

[Hipster Doofus]

2-1 Uruguay.

[Raps in 4]

Ronaldo showing us more in 5 minutes than Messi all game.

[Lord Eder]

How does Ricardo Pereira let that ball get to Suarez so easily. And then Guerreiro doesn’t even see Cavani on the cross back.

They gonna give this back line fits.

[skones]

That goal is really just as good as it gets. Beautiful switch.

[Pharmcat]

portugual outside of ronaldo is just garbage