For a Portugal whose World Cup story has so far been shaped by the controversy and brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo, it was a night for Fernandes, who shone as always and looked dangerous as ever.
His first goal with a 55th-minute cross for Ronaldo set the tone, before a perfectly executed spot kick in stoppage time that guaranteed his side's passage to the knockout stages with one match to spare. Ronaldo was destined for. Remanent.
Ronaldo celebrated the first goal as an own goal and smiled awkwardly as it was declared to belong to Fernandes, who twice came close to completing a hat-trick in the dying moments.
The win was the third time in the World Cup that Portugal had won two consecutive group stage matches, and the previous two times the streak had led them to the semi-finals.
Fernandes didn't talk about his starring role, saying he was focused on the next match against South Korea and getting nine points for Portugal.
"The important thing is that we were able to go through to the next round and a win against a tough opponent was very important," he added.
"Our aim is to think match after match and we have to be at our best as we obviously want to win all matches."
Uruguay, the dark horse in the World Cup succession, looked nothing like the side that knocked out Portugal in the last 16 in Russia in 2018 and struggled to get into the match as the European side were under pressure from the outset and never calm Not done.
glow of nature
Portugal had the lion's share of possession and pressed relentlessly, but worked in the final third and lacked clear scoring opportunities until much of the second half, in a game where Uruguay were miserable, off kiter and lacking initiative.
The result leaves Uruguay with a tough final match against Ghana, who had previously kept themselves in contention after beating South Korea 3–2 in their Group H match.
Ronaldo had some flashes of flair that drew loud roars from the Lusail Stadium crowd, including a three-minute-long moment when he used his shoulder to redirect a long throw into the path of William Carvalho, whose powerful The volley went over the bar.
Portugal were dangerous on the approach and controlled both flanks with Bernardo Silva, Fernandes and an industrious João Félix combining well and frustrating in their efforts to keep Portugal ahead.
Uruguay had a few chances, with the best coming on 32 minutes from Rodrigo Bentancur, who ran half the length of the field and skidded past three defenders, before his low shot was blocked by the advancing keeper Diogo Costa.
Portugal fought hard and broke the deadlock nine minutes after the break when Fernandes' cross went past Uruguayan goalkeeper Sergio Rochet, who rose to head Ronaldo's domestic shot but fell short.
Uruguay rallied to try to get back into the match around the hour mark, when coach Diego Alonso made a raft of substitutions to shake up their attack, with Facundo Pellistri making an immediate impact, Luis Suárez coming close and Maxi Gomez smashes his shot into the post. ,
But the fightback was short lived, with Portugal quickly regaining control and eventually winning a penalty after a handball in the box that required a VAR review.
Fernandes coolly converted his penalty in stoppage time and scrambled to get a third, his effort saved at the near post by Rochette and a strike in the dying seconds that rattled off the post.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos lauded his team's professionalism in a display he described as brilliant.
"We clearly showed that we are a very strong unit, both in the quality of the game and the bond between them," Santos said.
"That's how positive things are achieved. That's how we'll always do things."
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