Uruguay 2-1 Portugal: 5 Talking Points as Portugal are knocked out, World Cup 2018

#3 Lucas Torreira was Uruguay's fulcrum for attack and defence

Lucas Torreira was exceptional in midfield

If there was one thing Uruguay lacked in midfield in the first two games, it was an all-action midfielder who could contribute in attack and defence. They found that verve and energy in Lucas Torreira for the third game and he was rewarded with a place in the starting lineup against Portugal.

The midfielder is only 5 ft 6 in tall but he was arguably the most commanding presence in a midfield battle that was supposed to see someone like William Carvalho dominate proceedings.

Torreira's positioning was impeccable in both attack and defence. He provided an escape route in attack with his constant movement while he was also quick to negate space in defence when Portugal had the ball.

There were times when the smallest man on the pitch was even the deepest of all midfielders for Uruguay. Even when Portugal were making inroads in the second half, it was Torreira who made crucial interventions on low crosses and passes into the box - even trying to head the ball away when he was flat on the ground with players' boots all around him trying to kick it.