Cristiano Ronaldo’s chance of claiming World Cup glory was dealt a huge blow after seeing his side fall to a 2-1 defeat to Uruguay at Sochi. The 33-year-old forward and his compatriots came up against a South American side that hardly put a foot wrong or off the pedestal in Saturday's blockbuster encounter.
The job of the Seleccao was further complicated after Edinson Cavani bagged two beauties for La Celeste in thrilling fashion, eventually setting up a crunch quarter-final date with France. Portugal, however, managed to pull a goal back via Pepe’s header but the defense of Uruguay proved to be as resilient and unyielding as ever thereafter.
The win which gives Oscar Tabarez and his men another shot at winning the World Cup for the first time since 1950, also matched a milestone. Per the historical archives, Uruguay has won all of its first four opening matches for the first time since their triumphant campaign in the maiden edition of the World Cup in 1930. A déjà vu beckoning?
