SOCHI, Russia – Edinson Cavani upstaged Cristiano Ronaldo – first with his head and then with his right foot – to send Uruguay to the World Cup quarterfinals.
Cavani had two goals as Ronaldo was held scoreless Saturday to give Uruguay a 2-1 victory over Portugal in the opening round of the knockout stage.
On the same day Lionel Messi was sent home via Argentina’s 4-3 loss to France, the rival “GOAT” at this tournament was also eliminated. Two weeks earlier, Ronaldo scored a hat trick in the same stadium during a group-stage match against Spain, stroking his chin after the first goal to imply he was the “greatest of all time.”
There was no goal from Ronaldo this time. Everywhere he went, the 33-year-old Real Madrid great was hounded by two or three Uruguayan defenders.
“We had our chances, but this is football,” Ronaldo said. “We have to keep our heads high. We gave our best. The team played well. As the team captain, I am proud of this group. Everyone worked hard to make sure things went well.”