Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal vs. Uruguay: World Cup 2022 Storylines, Odds, Live Stream
Portugal can take a commanding lead on top of Group H at the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a win over Uruguay on Monday.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. earned the top spot in the group on Thursday with a 3-2 win over Ghana. Uruguay played to a scoreless draw with South Korea.
If the South Korea-Ghana result goes in Portugal's favor, it could secure advancement into the round of 16.
Uruguay has everything to play for inside the Lusail Iconic Stadium on Monday. Two wins to finish off the group stage would have the South American side cruise into the round of 16.
Uruguay has the attacking firepower to match what Ronaldo produces for Portugal, but it needs to be more clinical in the final third to flex the strengths of Darwin Núñez, Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani.
Portugal could be susceptible to a few more concessions after it gave up two goals to Ghana in the second half.
Odds and Match Info
Odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook)
Portugal (-105; bet $105 to win $100)
Uruguay (+320; bet $100 to win $320)
Draw (+245)
Over 2.5 Goals (+115); Under 2.5 Goals (-145)
Match Info
Date: Monday, November 28
Start Time: 2 p.m. ET
TV: Fox
Live Stream: FoxSports.com and Fox Sports app
Can Cristiano Ronaldo Match the Output of Other Superstars?
Cristiano Ronaldo opened his World Cup account in Qatar with a 65th-minute penalty against Ghana.
Since then, Robert Lewandowski, Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi have scored goals in massive moments for their respective national teams.
Ronaldo has an opportunity to create a moment of his own on the second matchday against Uruguay, who is perceived as Portugal's toughest competition in Group H.
A goal at a vital point of the game, or a show-stopping performance with multiple tallies would vault Ronaldo to the top of the superstar rankings in Qatar.
Portugal could get the best Ronaldo of the tournament since he is going up against a few familiar faces in the Uruguay defense. Diego Godín and José María Giménez were parts of the Atlético Madrid defense that Ronaldo ravaged when he was at Real Madrid. He scored 25 goals against Atleti in his club career.
The favorable matchup could be the edge Ronaldo needs to move further up the Golden Boot table and allow Portugal to slide into the knockout round with a victory.
Uruguay Must Be More Clinical in Final Third
Uruguay produced 10 shots against South Korea, but only one of them was on target.
The South American side wasted the chance to set the pace in Group H before Portugal took to the field against Ghana.
Uruguay comes into Monday's match without a goal in three of its last five games. That seems unusual for an attack with Darwin Núñez, Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani.
Uruguay could look at the two goals scored by Ghana against Portugal and think that the European side is more vulnerable in defense.
Portugal could be susceptible to conceding, but to take advantage of that, Uruguay must be better in the final third.
Zero shots on goal will get Uruguay nowhere in Group H, and as long as it improves in that regard, it will challenge Portugal.
Núñez, Suárez and Cavani will receive most of the attacking attention, but keep an eye on Federico Valverde, who has had a strong club season at Real Madrid, to create a few moments of brilliance from a deeper position.
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