Barcelona's Luis Suarez and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo clash and other Uruguay v Portugal talking points

Matt Jones - Editor 11:02 29/06/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal into a meeting with Uruguay.

    Uruguay and Portugal square up in Sochi as the World Cup’s last 16 get under way on Saturday, with the European champions’ tussle with the stingy South Americans one of the standout ties.

    Both boast star strikers the envy of the world, who can score at any moment in Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez, while La Celeste’s gritty defence gives them the edge at the back.

    Here, we take a look at three burning issues ahead of the game.

    DEFENSIVE DUO ARE CENTRAL TO URUGUAY’S HOPES

    Uru v Rus

    Uruguay probably aren’t the prettiest side to watch in world football, but they’re effective. And while they’re trademark is grit and tenacity rather than flair and craft, they also possess some pretty special attacking players.

    Suarez and Edinson Cavani both got on the scoresheet in their final group game as Russia were put to the sword, and the fact that those two are starting to stir – combined with their rigid defence – is not an encouraging sign for European champions Portugal.

    He’s now one of the father figures of this Uruguay side bursting with exciting young talent, but Diego Godin remains a man with a celestial presence for La Celeste.

    He has arguably the country’s biggest burgeoning young talent beside him in the heart of defence to do the sprinting and nullify the speed of pacy opposition strikers.

    But whatever Jose Gimenez brings to the partnership, it pales in comparison to what the young man is learning off his veteran skipper.

    The 32-year-old master and 23-year-old student form the foundations of a formidable defence at Atletico Madrid and that has been translated to the international arena, where the partnership is possibly the most solid of any nation left in the tournament.

    There may be a nine-year age gap but both players are leaders and they are leading the statistics at this World Cup – the duo top among tackles, clearances and interceptions.

    It’s easy to imagine Gimenez becoming national team captain one day – despite being 23 he is already on 44 caps.

    Godin still has a few more years left in him of course, but Uruguay have a ready-made replacement ready and waiting and right by his side.

    WHO WILL WIN BATTLE OF TWO TOTEMIC FORWARDS?

    Ronaldo

    Two heavyweights in every sense of the word square up in Sochi, which should serve up a tasty appetiser as the business end of the tournament starts on Saturday.

    And while most would probably pick Real Madrid powerhouse Ronaldo if given a choice between him and Barcelona hitman Suarez, Portugal fans may well worry about the form of their charismatic captain coming into this last 16 clash.

    He started the tournament with a bang, rocketing in a hat-trick in a rampant one-man display of real class in the thrilling 3-3 draw with Spain.

    He scored again in a nervy 1-0 victory over Morocco, but was abysmal in the final group game with Iran, as the European champions ultimately scraped into the knockouts. His pass success rate of 74.2 per cent was the worst of anyone in Portugal’s starting XI and his penalty miss encapsulated his miserable day – it would have been summed up had he been red carded in a decision that was referred to VAR.

    Meanwhile, Suarez is strolling into the last 16, much like La Celeste, in fine form. The Barca forward was at his brilliant best as Russia were ravaged 3-0 in the final group game – one in which his fine opening free-kick set the tone as Uruguay breezed to victory.

    In form and firing, he could cause massive problems for Portugal.

    MOUTINHO MUST BE RECALLED

    Moutinho

    Adrien Silva endured a mixed outing when he came into the Portugal line-up in place of Joao Moutinho against Iran.

    On the one hand he was on the ball far more than any colleague – playing 106 touches, 21 more than any teammate. His pass accuracy of 94.3 per cent was also the best of the rest of his colleagues, while he delivered two key passes (only Joao Mario’s three proved superior).

    But he still wasn’t able to truly get a grip on the game as Portugal were made to sweat on their last 16 spot, with Iran equalising from the penalty spot and squandering a golden opportunity to sneak a 2-1 win which would have sent them through and Fernando Santos’ side home.

    The Leicester City man was also dispossessed three times and registered two unskilled touches. And after Iran manager Carlos Queiroz altered his tactics and put striker Sardar Azmoun on the case of pressurising Silva’s midfield partner William Carvalho, it led to Iran gaining a grip on proceedings and Silva’s influence fading further.

    Moutinho was strangely left out despite being Portugal’s best player against Morocco.

    Admittedly they shrunk to the sanctuary of the shadows after Ronaldo headed them into an early lead, but Monaco’s Moutinho was still a menace.

    Two key passes – including swinging in the cross for the only goal – plus a second highest pass completion percentage of 84.2 and the third most touches. With a titanic tussle expected, expect Moutinho to be recalled.

    Recommended