URUGUAY
LIKELY TEAM (4-1-2-1-2): Muslera, Caceras, Godin, Gimenez, Laxalt, Torreira, Nandez, Vecino, Bentancur, Suarez, Cavani
- Uruguay are yet to concede in this tournament
- Uruguay have not won their opening four World Cup games since the 1930 World Cup which Uruguay won on home soil
- Uruguay and Portugal have both ever been involved in one penalty shootout each in the competition's history
The serial overachievers, despite a population of just over 3.4 million people no international team has won more tournaments than Uruguay who are led by the longest serving (since 2006) and oldest (71) manager; Oscar Tabarez left in the competition nicknamed "El Maestro". Luis Suarez aside what's not to like about this Uruguayan team? There are some common misconceptions about Uruguay , the first being that they are all brawn and no skill. (they have only one yellow card so far) Uruguay have transitioned from an old school defensive setup grinding out results to a team full of players technically adapt to controlling and dominating opponents over Tabarez' 12 years in charge. This has largely been helped by the emergence of young midfielders Matias Vecino, Lucas Torreira and Rodrigo Bentancur who all have profited from "El Maestro's" confidence and persistence with Uruguay's youth.
No one encapsulates this modern brand of Uruguayan football than Atletico Madrid stalwart; Diego Godin who Diego Maradona recently labelled "a star". Godin once delcared "to play is to live". Gimenez and him form quite the duo at the back. The second misconception about this side is that they are all about the formidable strike duo of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. It was largely down to the introduction of a new crop of talented youngsters near the end of qualifying in the aforementioned Vecino, Bentancur and Federico Valverde that Uruguay succeeded in qualification for this tournament. Vecino has had a breakthrough season at Inter since while Bentancur has impressed whenever called upon by Max Allegri at Juventus.
They are ably assisted by the talented Lucas Torreira who was only handed his first start of the tournament in Uruguay's 3-0 over Russia where he played at the base of the diamond. Arsenal fans might want to keep an eye out for the 22 year old midfielder who has been compared to Andrea Pirlo and Marco Veratti and is heavily rumoured to have already agreed a deal to move to the Gunners. It was partly down to his introduction and partly down to Tabarez' change of formation which shifted the rythem in Uruguay's play enabling quicker and cleaner service into Suarez and Cavani in their victory over Russia. It is also important to note that Uruguay have further strikepower on their bench in the form of Maxi Gomez and the evergreen Christian Stuani who are on the back end of successful goalscoring seasons for Celta Vigo and Girona respectively.
PORTUGAL
LIKELY TEAM (4-2-3-1): Patricio, Cedric, Fonte, Pepe, Guerreiro, Carvalho, Moutinho, Quaresma, Guedas, Joao Mario, Ronaldo
- Cristiano Ronaldo has so far failed to score a single goal for Portugal in the knockout stages of the World Cup: 424 minutes, 0 goals - Penalty shootouts excluded, Portugal has lost only one of its last 17 games at major tournaments (W8 D8), a 4-0 defeat against Germany at Brazil 2014
- This is only the fourth time Portugal have progressed beyond the group stages of the World Cup
Surely Cristiano Ronaldo cannot drag a down and out, old Portugal to international success once again. Following on from Portugal's outstanding achievement in 2016 there has been little to suggest from coach Fernando Santos that there will be a shift in their approach. To date his tactic of keeping a clean sheet at all costs, painstakingly so at times and hoping the five time Ballon D'or winner outscores the opposition has worked but more surely more shrewdness will be required to negotiate this or latter stages of the World Cup.
Bernardo Silva who missed his sides 2016 exploits through injury and Valencia man, Goncalo Guedas have provided Portugal with an extra spark and have proven to be apt sidekicks for CR7 but there is little to suggest Santos will deviate from his tried and trusted approach. Ricardo Quaresma is expected to retain his place in the side ahead of Bernardo Silva after his wondergoal versus Iran while Andre Silva is once again rumoured to start up front alongside Ronaldo to match the Atletico duo of Godin and Gimenez. Adrien Silva has also been touted as a late inclusion.
Aside from CR7, Rui Patricio has been Portugal's main man so far and has excelled when called upon particularly with some fine saves v Morocco. His defence however remains suspect. Cedric is after a poor season with Southampton and although unfairly conceded a penalty against Iran he can be got at. Pepe (35) and Jose Fonte (34) surely are the oldest centre back pairing in the competition and will struggle to catch either Suarez or Cavani over ground whilst left back Raphael Guerreiro was recently tormented by Watford reject Nordin Amrabat in the Morocco game.
Without a doubt Portugal have the attacking players to open up more and play a more expansive brand of football, taking the game to Uruguay but there is little doubt their rigid approach will change. Any chance of victory they do have tomorrow is likely going to be down to Cristiano Ronaldo and if he can once again conjure an ailing Portugal side to further international success , a sixth Ballon D'or awaits.
WHERE GAME WILL BE WON
Both teams tend to sit deep and live off 40% possession, the question is however who is more suited to taking control of the game, arguably Portugal. However Uruguay thrive on counter attacking football. It is more of a case of who will blink first? In a tournament renowned for its set pieces it is also key to note that all five of Uruguay's goals have resulted from set pieces.
PREDICTION
A contest in the mastery of shithousery between Pepe and Luis Suarez precedes a tense 1-1 draw which surpasses extra time all the way to penalties with Uruguay and Tabarez advancing.
Uruguay 1 - 1 Portugal (AET) (Uruguay on penalties)