Fernandes takes Portugal to last 16

Cameroon earns draw without rule-breaking ’keeper; Brazil, minus Neymar, advances early

Cristiano Ronaldo wheeled away in celebration, acting as though he had scored once again at the World Cup.

Not this time. Instead, Bruno Fernandes was eventually credited with the goal that set up Portugal’s 2-0 win over Uruguay on Monday to advance to the last 16.

Fernandes curled in a cross from the left that barely went over the head of the leaping Ronaldo and bounced into the far corner of the net in the 54th minute, giving Portugal a 1-0 lead. A grinning Ronaldo threw his arms in the air, suggesting he got the final touch, and was embracing Fernandes as multiple replays were shown on the big screens in Lusail Stadium.

The goal wound up being awarded to Fernandes, who added a second from the penalty spot in stoppage time after a handball by José María Giménez as he slid in to challenge the Manchester United playmaker.

“I don’t really think it matters who scored,” Fernandes said about the first goal. “The feeling at the time was that (Ronaldo) touched the ball — I was crossing it to him — but what’s important was, we moved into the next round and beat a very big opponent.”

Fernandes was denied a hat-trick with virtually the last kick of the game, which hit the post.

Uruguay has one point from two matches and needs to beat Ghana on Friday to stand a chance of advancing. The 2010 semifinalists have yet to score a goal.

Cameroon 3, Serbia 3

Cameroon staged an impressive comeback to tie Serbia after replacing its goalkeeper at the last minute.

Andre Onana, who plays for Inter Milan, wasn’t in Cameroon’s lineup or even at the stadium to watch the Group G match.

Coach Rigobert Song said he dropped his starting goalkeeper for “disciplinary reasons,” but didn’t give any specifics.

Song replaced Onana with Devis Epassy, who made only his sixth international appearance.

“I took a risk; I realize that,” Song said, adding Onana hasn’t been kicked out of the squad and hasn’t been ruled out for the last group stage match against Brazil Friday.

Brazil 1, Switzerland 0

Struggling and unconvincing without an injured Neymar, Brazil still played well enough to secure a spot in the next round. The five-time champions beat Switzerland with a late goal and made it to the round of 16 with a match to spare in Group G.

“Of course we miss a player like Neymar,” Brazil coach Tite said. “The team loses a lot without him. But we also have other players who can get the job done, as we saw it today.”

Casemiro scored the only goal, in the 83rd minute of a game in which Brazil had difficulties creating scoring chances without its main playmaker.

The defensive midfielder scored with a one-timer into the far corner, using the outside of his right foot for a shot that deflected slightly off defender Manuel Akanji.

“We knew that it wasn’t going to be easy. We had to be patient,” Casemiro said. “Our first objective was to advance, and we achieved that.”

Switzerland needs a win in the last match against Serbia to guarantee a spot in the next stage. A draw may be enough depending on the match between Brazil and Cameroon, which is third ahead of last-place Serbia on goal difference.

Ghana 3, South Korea 2

Mohammed Kudus said there wasn’t much difference between the way Ghana played in its opener against Portugal or its second game against South Korea. Except the result, of course.

Kudus scored twice, including the go-ahead goal after the South Koreans evened the match in the second half, and Ghana staved off elimination with a victory. Mohammed Salisu also scored for the Black Stars, who were disappointed after a 3-2 opening loss to Portugal and were in need of points against South Korea for a chance to reach the knockout round.

“We have the same mentality game after game after game,” said Kudus, “so we are going in the same direction with the same energy no matter who we play.”