Match time : 7pm

Venue: Fisht Stadium, Sochi

The knockout stage is here and with it arrives a meeting between two of the world’s most organized, creative and offensive-minded teams. Both Uruguay and Portugal are possession-oriented sides keen to be patient with the ball in the midfield while their talented strikers and wingers find space to attack.

Uruguay dominated possession against Egypt in a 1-0 win and even more so against Russia, a 3-0 victory. Saudi Arabia nearly provided the kryptonite for La Celeste’s tactics by playing keep-away along the back line, dropping 10 and sometimes 11 men on defense, and then counterattacking. But the Saudis couldn’t score; Uruguay, in fact, is the only team in the tournament yet to allow a goal.

Portugal likes to play a similar style, funneling balls forward to Cristiano Ronaldo,tied for second in this tournament with four goals. But it might also relish the opportunity to counterattack and let Ronaldo take on defenders at full speed in space. Set pieces, too, may prove crucial, between Ronaldo’s expertise bending around a wall and keeper and Edinson Cavani’s touch for Uruguay, picking out the open man in the box. Uruguay has already scored twice off corner kicks in this tournament, with a third goal coming off a free kick from the corner.

Over 2.5

.......

Portugal is going to set up an Euro 2016 final repeat with France

Nbote:
Portugal is going to set up an Euro 2016 final repeat with France

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