Cristiano Ronaldo trolled over questionable moment in Portugal win

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has been called out by football fans after appearing to try and claim a Bruno Fernandes goal in his side's 2-0 triumph over Uruguay at the World Cup. The result leaves Uruguay on the brink of elimination after a controversial match at Lusail Stadium.

Fernandes scored both goals to make it two wins from two and guarantee Portugal's qualification for the round of 16. For Uruguay, however, the defeat leaves them with just one point and no goals after two games, needing a win against Ghana on Saturday morning to have any hopes of advancing.

'SHAMEFUL': Ghana official condemned over shocking World Cup scenes

'DISRESPECTFUL': Messi under fire as post-game act comes to light

'SAD TO SEE': Staggering World Cup upset sparks 'disgusting' scenes

Uruguay benched veteran striker Luis Suarez in an effort to spark an attack that had looked stale in the opening 0-0 draw with South Korea. That change failed to spark the South Americans though as only Rodrigo Bentancur’s burst from midfield into the penalty box enlivened the first half — but he was foiled by a smothering save from Diogo Costa.

Uruguay was disjointed and often dreadful, unable to play through its talented three-man midfield of Bentancur, Federico Valverde and Matias Vecino. Darwin Nuñez and Edinson Cavani, the front two, were disconnected. The back five, by their very existence, suggested that Uruguay manager Diego Alonso would have been perfectly satisfied with a draw.

Soon after halftime — and almost immediately after a fan ran onto the pitch with a rainbow flag and a shirt supporting Iranian women and Ukraine — Portugal broke a dull deadlock. Fernandes floated in a cross, which Ronaldo looked to have got the faintest touch on as it nestled into the back of Uruguay's goal.

Ronaldo wheeled away in celebration as if he'd scored the goal himself, despite replays appearing to show that he failed to get a touch on the ball. FIFA clarified what most fans had suspected by later awarding the goal to Fernandes, as viewers criticised Ronaldo of trying to "steal" the goal off his own teammate.

Portugal safely through to round of 16

Portugal's second win in two games put them top of Group H on six points and heading into the last 16. Uruguay, third on one point, must beat Ghana in their final group game to have a chance of progressing. Ghana sit second in the group following their 3-2 win over South Korea earlier on Monday (Tuesday AEDT).

The result takes Portugal through to the Round of 16. It leaves Uruguay needing to answer all sorts of questions about its impotence, and about whether this is the end of the road for Suarez, Cavani and their golden generation on the international stage.

To prolong a brilliant era, they’ll need to beat Ghana and, if South Korea beats Portugal, they’ll need to better Korea’s goal difference. Ghana's win earlier in the day came after Mohammed Kudus scored twice in a wild 3-2 victory over Korea that keeps their World Cup hopes alive and leaves Paulo Bento's Korean side facing an early exit.

Mohammed Salisu opened the scoring against the run of play midway through the first half at Education City Stadium and Ajax midfielder Kudus doubled Ghana's lead. However, Korea, who looked toothless in the first half, roared back after the break, pulling level through a quick-fire double from forward Cho Gue-sung either side of the hour mark.

Ghana looked shell-shocked as the Korean fans celebrated wildly but they were back in front in the 68th minute when Kudus finished calmly at the back post after his teammate Inaki Williams failed to connect with a cross from the left.

In other action, Brazil booked their spot in the round of 16 with one group game to spare after edging Switzerland 1-0 in a tense and tight affair. Midfielder Casemiro lashed home the only goal of the game with a sumptuous drive into the top corner late in the second half to make it two wins from two for Tite's men.

Meanwhile, Cameroon's Vincent Aboubakar came off the bench to rescue the Indomitable Lions by scoring one superb goal and creating another as they fought back to draw 3-3 with Serbia. The result in Doha kept both sides' slim chances alive at the World Cup.

Each have one point and need to win their final Group G games on Friday to stand a chance of going through to the knockout stages. Cameroon face already-qualified Brazil while Serbia take on Switzerland, who have three points.

with agencies

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.