Portugal vs Uruguay LIVE: World Cup 2022 team news and line-ups as Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani start Group H clash

Portugal coach Fernando Santos drafted in veteran defender Pepe, 39, to replace the injured Danilo Pereira in the centre of his back line while captain Cristiano Ronaldo continues to lead the attack.

Santos also moved to strengthen his midfield by bringing in William Carvalho to take the place of Otavio who was an injury concern in the build-up to Portugal’s second match in Group H which they lead after beating Ghana 3-2 last week.

Portugal: Diogo Costa, Joao Cancelo, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes, Ruben Neves, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, William Carvalho, Joao Felix, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Uruguay coach Diego Alonso dropped striker Luis Suarez to the bench and brought forward Edinson Cavani into his starting 11 for Monday’s World Cup Group H match against Portugal.

After Uruguay’s 0-0 draw with South Korea in their opening match of the tournament, Alonso also gave starts to defenders Sebastian Coates and Guillermo Varela in the place of attacking midfielder Facundo Pellistri and defender Martin Caceres.

Uruguay: Sergio Rochet, Sebastian Coates, Diego Godin, Jose Maria Gimenez, Guillermo Varela, Mathias Olivera, Rodrigo Bentancur, Matias Vecino, Federico Valverde, Edinson Cavani, Darwin Nunez.

“We can’t stop talking about Neymar,” Casemiro had said in the build up to this latest game of Brazil’s quest to win a sixth World Cup. After his winning goal against Switzerland, they’ll only be talking about him.

With this side’s talismanic No 10 injured and watching wave after wave of pressure go unrewarded from afar, it was left to the defensive midfielder with just five international goals to his name to do his best impression of the absent hero.

The strike was a sweet one, struck hard and to Yann Sommer’s left, the Swiss keeper left with no chance as it arrowed into the corner. The relief in the stadium – and no doubt the team hotel where the laid up No 10 was watching on – was palpable. Neymar will play again at this World Cup, Tite insists, but in what condition remains to be seen, the treatment on the injured ankle that reduced him to tears in the final minutes against Serbia set to continue to the end of the group stages at the very least.

Match report by Ben Burrows at the Stadium 974

How are we feeling about Brazil, then? They are favourites, but have they looked it on the evidence of their opening two wins?

Gary Neville thinks they can reach the final. “They can. I though Spain vs Germany was the best game so far but Brazil are not playing that company yet. I expect them to rise to the occasion [when they do]. They are defending well and have showed they can change games from the bench. I think they are in a good place.”

What happens when a superstar forward, with the weight of a nation on his shoulders for the third World Cup running, sustains an injury in match No 1? After the period of mourning, there is discussion. 40 minutes of it.

Brazil’s pre-match press conference on Sunday – involving manager Tite, defender Marquinhos and Tite’s assistant Cesar Sampaio – was mostly devoted to the world’s most expensive player and the effect of his absence for the rest of the group-phase. “Football’s about context and sometimes we have to be strategic,” said Tite. “We have to think outside the box but we’re very confident we have the right replacement.”

So, who would it be? An abundance of terrific depth in attack, deeper than any other team in the tournament, should cover for the loss of the prodigal son. So, would it be one of Arsenal’s dynamic duo: Gabriel Jesus or Gabriel Martinelli? Maybe Manchester United’s £85m signing Antony? Or Real Madrid young gun Rodrygo? Or how about… Fred?

On this evidence, maybe not, as Kieran Jackson writes.

Player ratings, by Alex Pattle

Was central as ever to Brazil’s possession and momentum. Supplied Vinicius Jr with a perfectly-weighted pass that would have gone down as an assist, had Richarlison not been offside in the build-up. Broke the deadlock on 82 minutes with a great, slashing finish.

Marked Brazil’s only change, coming in for the injured Neymar, and was never going to do the same job as his nation’s talisman. Booked in the second half, before being taken off.

Touch wasn’t as sharp as it was against Serbia. It felt as if the ball wasn’t quite falling for the forward, but that was down to him most of the time. Cost Brazil a goal by straying offside in the lead-up to Vini Jr’s tidy finish. Made way for Gabriel Jesus.

Brazil have found a way! They are through to the knockout stages, and become just the second team along with France to win both of their opening games.

Casemiro was the unlikely hero in Neymar’s absence, but what a strike it was. It earns Brazil their best start to a World Cup since 2002.

What happened then? Well, they only went and won it.

90+4 mins: Another late Brazil chance! Antony slips in Rodrygo but Akanji makes a big block.

90+3 mins: Late chance for Brazil on the break! Vinicius leads the two-on-one but goes himself when Antony was free! Switzerland clear.

90+2 mins: What have you got, Switzerland? Rodriguez hangs a ball into the box but Thiago Silva heads away.