Team ready for match against Uruguay: Bruno Alaves

Moscow: Portugal's centre back Bruno Alaves expressed confidence ahead of his side's upcoming knockout-round duel against Uruguay in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The Rangers FC defender said that Germany's exit after South Korea's 2-0 victory over the defending World Cup champions in their final Group F clash showed how hard the matches were, reports Efe.

Alaves in a press conference pointed out that Portugal was well prepared to take on Uruguay since "Portugal has proved that it can play against any team."

Although Alaves, 36, was still waiting to make his debut in the World Cup, he considered being in Russia "already a victory."

Portugal, who finished second in Group B, is to face Uruguay on Saturday - the opening day of the knockout round - in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi in southeast Russia.