Edinson Cavani’s brace helped Uruguay book a place in the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Portugal at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi this evening.

The towering frontman scored standout efforts either side of half time to cancel out a leveller from Pepe , as Oscar Tabarez ‘s charges turned in a memorable defensive showing to reach the last eight of the showpiece tournament.

Cavani put Uruguay ahead in the seventh minute when he evaded the Portugal defence to meet Luis Suarez’s pinpoint cross with a bullet header at the far post.

Pepe headed Portugal level in the 55th minute, the first goal Uruguay have conceded in the tournament, but Uruguay regained the lead seven minutes later when Rodrigo Bentancur found Cavani and he curled a brilliant first-time shot past Rui Patricio from the edge of the penalty area.

The victory sets up a quarter-final clash with France next week, who had earlier dispatched Argentina 4-3 thanks to a match-winning performance from rising youngster Kylian Mbappe .