'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Round of 16 match between Portugal and Uruguay at the Olimpiyskiy Stadion Fisht on Saturday will be an interesting encounter between two sides who proved their competence in the group stage.
Being one of the four South American countries to qualify for the knockout stage, Uruguay have got a strong defence and world-class strikers of great reputation on their side. Portugal, on the other hand, are a one-man army led by Cristiano Ronaldo and will expect from him to lead their side to World Cup glory.
Portugal had a tough battle in the group stage having drawn to Spain 3-3 in their first match due to Ronaldo's heroic, winning narrowly against Morocco and scraped a 1-1 draw against Iran to secure their qualification for the Round of 16. Uruguay, on the other hand, won with a margin of 1 goal against both Egypt and Saudi Arabia and beat the hosts Russia 3-0 in their final group stage game to secure the top spot in their group.
Uruguay will defend solidly and will look to score early against Portugal through its excellent attackers. Portugal, on the other hand, will try to ward off any threat which the Uruguay strikers will throw at them and look towards Cristiano Ronaldo to create magic and beat the tough defence of Uruguay comprising of Godin and Gimenez.
It will be an enthralling encounter to decide the game on Saturday. Let us look at the 3 key battles which might decide the fate of the two sides:
#3 Quaresma vs Cavani
Cavani and Quaresma are crucial players for their respective countries in the Round of 16 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Having had a decent World Cup, both these players scored in their country's last group stage match. Both have something special in their game which gives excitement to their fans.
Having scored a wonderful goal from the outside of his right foot against Iran, Quaresma has a passing accuracy of 60% in opposition's area and has completed 28 successful passes. He has scored 1 goal in the 2 games which he has played for Portugal in the group stage.
Cavani, on the other hand, found his mojo in Uruguay's 3-0 victory over Russia. Having scored 1 goal from 6 shots on target in the first 3 matches, Cavani will look to increase his goal tally against Portugal on Saturday.
This will be an interesting battle between two talented players to watch for the fans.
#2 Diego Godin vs Pepe
Pepe and Godin's role for their side has been valuable and has helped Portugal and Uruguay in progressing to the Round of 16. Being extremely solid defenders, they will try to make life difficult for their opposition strikers on Saturday.
Having successfully dealt with all the attacking threats thrown by Iran at him in the last group stage match, Pepe has had a success rate of 75% at tackling, won 65% of aerial duels and completed 103 successful passes at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Godin, on the other hand, stood like a rock and helped Uruguay in not conceding a single goal in the group stage. He has had a success rate of 50% at tackling, won 61.5% of aerial duels and completed 145 successful passes at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
This contest between two resolute defenders will be an important factor in their Round of 16 match.
#3 Suarez vs Ronaldo
Luis Suarez and Cristiano Ronaldo have been the best players for their respective sides at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Both these players have got the ability to torment defenders with their pace, aggression and outstanding finishing ability. Playing in the same league at club level, they will know each other's qualities pretty well and will convey the same to their defenders before the game.
Having scored a superb hat-trick in the thrilling encounter against Spain and a wonderful header against Morocco in Portugal's 1-0 victory over them, Ronaldo has a goal conversion rate of 40% and has scored a goal at an average of 67.5 minutes. Luis Suarez, on the other hand, has scored 2 goals in 3 matches for Uruguay and has a conversion rate of 29% and has scored a goal at an average of 135 minutes.
This battle between two football heavyweights will prove to be decisive and will influence the result of the game on Saturday.
