Was Portugal’s performance at World Cup 2018 underwhelming, in line with expectations, unlucky, or as the kids today like to say, just “meh”? The post-tournament reaction (or lack of it) would seem to indicate the last option.

There have been no recriminations flying around the media, no headlines demanding radical reform, not even a call for a period of introspection. Indeed, the silence has been deafening in terms of any formal reaction from the Portuguese Football Federation, coach Fernando Santos or the players regarding the campaign of the European Champions in Russia.

PortuGOAL assesses the Seleção’s showing at World Cup 2018 and looks for pointers for the future.

Portugal’s World Cup adventure came to a premature end last night after a narrow 2-1 loss to Uruguay in the last 16. The exit is an obvious disappointment for Seleção fans everywhere, but just as frustrating was the team’s failure to fulfil their potential to perform with what looked a strong group of players coming into the tournament.

One such player who did not live up to expectations in Russia was Bernardo Silva, failing to settle into Fernando Santos’ system throughout the group stage. However, the Manchester City winger was Portugal’s standout performer in Sochi, showing renewed confidence and positivity on the ball even if it was ultimately not enough to help his team through to the quarter-finals.

Portugal’s World Cup campaign came to an end in Sochi tonight as they were beaten by a brilliant brace from Uruguayan centre-forward Edinson Cavani.

An improved performance perhaps deserved better. Pepe was again excellent, and a tactical switch by Fernando Santos at half time perhaps points the way for Portugal going forward, Bernardo Silva proving far more effective when moved into the middle, and looking Portugal’s most likely route back into the game.

On the downside Gonçalo Guedes and Ricardo Pereira had nights to forget, while two stars of Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph two years ago, João Mário and Raphaël Guerreiro, completed a below-par World Cup with another disappointing match.

• 2018 FIFA World Cup,
• Uruguay
• Edinson Cavani
• Pepe

Uruguay 2-1 Portugal

Portugal have been eliminated by Uruguay in the World Cup's Round of 16, courtesy of an Edinson Cavani brace in a 2-1 loss at the Fisht Stadium.

The European champions fell behind to Cavani's strike as early as the 7th minute, but Pepe's equaliser in the second half promised to provide a different kind of night for the Portuguese public.

Uruguay pulled ahead once more, however, this time in decisive fashion, as Cavani's match-winner in the 62nd minute moved his nation into the Quarter-finals at Portugal's expense.