2018 FIFA World Cup: Uruguay getting set for clash with Portugal
Updated 16:30, 03-Jul-2018
[]
03:39
Tonight's other match is in Sochi, where Group A winners Uruguay will go up against Portugal, who finished as runners-up in Group B. The South Americans are one of the only teams to win all three of their matches in pool play at this World Cup, along with Belgium and Croatia. Now the two-time champions will continue their quest to add a third trophy, but it won't be easy against the Euro 2016 winners. Once again, here's Damien Jones.  
The fact that Uruguay sailed through Group A at the 2018 FIFA World Cup with victories over Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Russia -- while Portugal had to slog things out in Group B -- is of little consequence as the two sides prepare to face off in the Round of 16, the stage at which Los Charruas made their exit from the tournament four years ago in Brazil.
OSCAR TABAREZ URUGUAY COACH "I believe that we are closer than ever to our goal -- and we want to get it done at a World Cup. More than the meaning of this match -- what it would mean to win, what it would mean to lose -- we are relaxed about playing this one, and we will focus on this match, which is what could then give us more possibilities."
Since lifting the trophy at the international showpiece in 1930 and 1950, the South American outfit has taken fourth place in 1954, 1970, and 2010. Now they want to give themselves a chance to claim a third championship.
LUIS SUAREZ URUGUAY FORWARD "A match in the Round of 16 at the World Cup against the current European champions. More motivation for a match like this -- you can't find. And all the support that we have been getting provides extra motivation. We must be ready for this to give our best. If things don't go our way, to be assured that we have given everything. We must value this match."
The Portuguese team may have finished second in Group B on the heels of draws against Spain and Iran, as well as a 1-0 triumph against Morocco, but the Euro 2016 winners know they have not yet reached their potential at this tournament, and the knockout phase is a good place to start if they intend to stick around.
FERNANDO SANTOS PORTUGAL COACH "Uruguay are the kind of team that, when you start analyzing them, you realise that they have very few weaknesses. It is extremely hard to find weaknesses in that side because they are a very homogeneous unit, fully focused in every aspect of a match. A very strong squad. We know that they are strong, and we have prepared ourselves to face them, we have studied them. Inside this fortress, like any other team, there is always some weakness that we can look to exploit."
Cristiano Ronaldo stood out for A Seleccao as expected, scoring four goals in their first two matches in pool play. But CR-7 missed a penalty kick and was nearly sent off in the third contest versus the Iranians. The superstar striker will need to be at his best for the European champions to have any sort of edge against their Cross-Atlantic foes, but the man in charge on the bench says no squad can succeed, by depending on any one individual.
FERNANDO SANTOS GUIDED PORTUGAL TO TROPHY AT EURO 2016 "If Cristiano plays alone, Portugal will lose. It is not possible. If we are not strong as a team, the same way Uruguay are very strong, we will start the game being weaker. It is very hard, with a single player, to solve anything. Even when you score three goals in a game, you must have a team to support you. Otherwise, there's no chance. What is clear to me, is that we will have a clash between two very strong teams, with highly skilled players."
While Uruguay can boast of two World Cup titles, Portugal's best results have been third place in 1966, and fourth in 2006. Damien Jones, CGTN.