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Not only was the five-time world player of the year relegated to the bench, his replacement — 21-year-old Gonçalo Ramos — scored a hat trick to leave Santos with quite the selection dilemma against Morocco. FIFA World Cup: Fixtures | Results | Points Table | Squads | Records “I hope he won’t (play),” Morocco coach Walid Regragui said Friday of Ronaldo. “As a coach I know he’s one of the best players in history and so I’d be delighted if he didn’t play.” The announcement of Portugal’s team about 90 minutes before the game at Al Thumama Stadium is keenly awaited as Ronaldo prepares to play in the quarterfinals of the World Cup for just the second time in his glittering career. Santos declined to share selection thoughts Friday for what he said would be a different kind of game to the one against Switzerland, while noting that “90% of the questions” are about Ronaldo at Portugal’s pregame news conferences. One inevitable question Santos faced was about reports in national media that Ronaldo threatened to leave the World Cup after being told he was benched. Not true, the coach said. “He has never told me that he wanted to leave the national team,” Santos said through an interpreter. “Cristiano obviously wasn’t very happy about it. He told me ‘Do you really think it’s a good idea?’” Portugal is at this stage for only the third time after 1966 and 2006, perhaps surprising given the talent to have come from the country down the years.Four years ago, Portugal lost in the round of 16 to Uruguay, though a group-stage game against Morocco was “possibly the most difficult match” the team faced, Santos said Friday. “We won 1-0 but we had to suffer a lot to win that match,” he said. “My players know that.” As for Morocco, the nation is in uncharted territory after becoming only the fourth African country to reach the quarterfinals at soccer’s biggest tournament, after Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010). None of them reached the semifinals. Morocco is also the only team from outside Europe or South America to make it to the last eight in Qatar. The team’s penalty-shootout victory over Spain in the last 16 sparked wild celebrations not just among its many fans in Qatar and at home. The excitement extended to the Moroccan diaspora of around 5 million people spread mostly around Europe, which has united behind the World Cup run of the team nicknamed the “Atlas Lions.” Morocco fans poured into the streets of European cities to celebrate the team’s passage to the quarterfinals, which came after Morocco advanced from a group containing second-ranked Belgium and 2018 runner-up Croatia. “We haven’t got carried away by the euphoria,” Regragui said. “We’ve just surprised a few people and surprised a few algorithms who expected Belgium to get through … and expected Spain to get through. We are not satisfied with where we have come so far.” Regragui, who was born in France, and 14 of the 26 players in the squad were born abroad — the highest proportion for any team at a World Cup being held in the Middle East for the first time in the tournament’s 92-year history. The Arab world’s standard bearer, Morocco is in the quarterfinals on merit, too. The team has only conceded one goal — and that was an own-goal against Canada — and is proving so well-organized, with a sturdy back four headlined by Achraf Hakimi, a dedicated midfield anchored by Sofyan Amrabat, two mercurial wingers in Hakim Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal, and a striker in Youssef En-Nesyri, who occupies defenses with his relentless work rate. Three key players might be struggling to be healthy enough to play against Portugal, though. Amrabat said he played with a back injury requiring painkilling injections in the match against Spain, during which captain Romain Saiss finished the game with his leg bandaged up after treatment, and fellow center back Nayef Aguerd hobbled off in tears with an apparent thigh injury. “Yes, they are tired, yes, we have injuries. We are not going to hide it and we are not going to complain," Regragui said. “We are here on a mission.” Portugal doesn’t appear to have such problems, with Santos’ squad depth so impressive that he could afford to leave players like Ronaldo, João Cancelo and Rúben Neves on the bench against Switzerland after they started every group game. Even if he is among the substitutes again, Ronaldo — playing in what is likely his last World Cup — is expected to see some time on the field. Given the drama constantly surrounding him, he’s sure to be a talking point whatever happens. With inputs from AP Read all the Latest News ****, Trending News ****, Cricket News ****, Bollywood News ****, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook****, Twitter and Instagram****.
Morocco vs Portugal highlights: Cristiano Ronaldo & Co. out of the FIFA World Cup as Morocco march on!
Morocco vs Portugal Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2022 Quarter Finals: En Nesyri’s first half goal knocks out Portugal as Morocco becomes first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals
 "Morocco vs Portugal highlights: Cristiano Ronaldo & Co. out of the FIFA World Cup as Morocco march on!")
That’s all from our Live coverage of Morocco vs Portugal FIFA World Cup quarterfinals as En Nesyri’s towering header in the first half ensures Morocco becomes the first African nation to reach the World Cup semifinals. Our Live coverage continued in the night as England vs France awaits as probably the biggest clash of the tournament. Stay tuned!
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
Full time! History has been made! For the first time since the inception of World Cup in 1930, an African nation has reached the semifinal of the FIFA World Cup! First half goal from Yousseff En-Nesyri is all that was needed for that to happen while agony surrounds a 38-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, who in all likely has played his last World Cup!
Morocco 1-0 Portugal
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
90+3’ Red card! Morocco are down to 10 men as winger Walid Cheddira sees his second yellow for fouling Joao Felix in the midfield. Will Portugal make the most of it with less than five minutes left?
Morocco 1-0 Portugal
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
90+1’ Ronaldo! The striker came close to scoring his first goal of this World Cup from the counter but hits it to the near post of Bounou for a save. The ‘keeper fumbles the ball but Ronaldo couln’t reach the ball in time. Meanwhile, eight minutes of stoppage time has been added!
Morocco 1-0 Portugal
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
82’ After a promising build-up, Ronaldo sets up Felix on the left flank as the baby-face forward curls it with his left foot towards the goal only to watch Moroccan custodian Bounou palm it away for a corner.
Morocco 1-0 Portugal
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
80’ Fernando Santos is throwing everything forward now as forward Ricardo Horta comes in for right back Diogo Dalot.
Morocco 1-0 Portugal
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
75’ Portugal are not worrying the Morocco defence much despite a series of set pieces, allowing the Africans to be more comfortable at the back as they start to find space on the break again! If Portugal doesn’t react with a goal now, Morocco may just kill the game soon.
Morocco 1-0 Portugal
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
70’ Further changes by Fernando Santos as Goncalo Ramos ends his night without a goal as Raphael Leao replaces him. Defensive midfielder Vitinha comes in as well to replace more attack minded midfielder Otavio as coach looks for more balance at the centre of the park. The flurry of changes have shifted the momentum in Portugal’s favour but they are still waiting for a clear-cut chance to bank on.
Morocco 1-0 Portugal
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
63’ Another promising build-up from the left flank, this time Bernardo Silva finds space inside the box and sets up an unmarked Bruno Fernandes behind Morocco defence but his bullet of an effort goes over the woodwork!
Morocco 1-0 Portugal
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
61’ Joao Felix has now become Portugal’s focal point in attack as the 2016 Euro champions show more purpose from the left flank but Morocco’s defensive transition has been perfect so far! Ronaldo yet to make an impact as he fails to control the ball after receiveing it right outside the box.
Morocco 1-0 Portugal
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
51’ The big man is finally here! Cristiano Ronaldo is brought in as substitute as Fernando Santos adds an extra and prudent forward while taking out midfielder Ruben Neves. Left back Raphael Guerreiro is taken off as well with Joao Cancelo replacing him. Ronaldo already springs into action as he dribbles the ball but fail to make an impact with it.
Morocco 1-0 Portugal
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
50’ Pepe plays with fire by taking down a gliding Achraf Hakimi on the right flank. The resulting free-kick came close to punishing Portugal as Ziyech delivered a indirect ball that Diogo Costa fails to hold but the Morocco striker nearby fails to head the ball on target!
Morocco 1-0 Portugal
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
46’ Second half begins and no Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch yet as coach Fernando Santos makes no changes at the half time. Morocco coach Walid Regragui seems quite happy with his side as he makes no changes at the half time as well.
Morocco 1-0 Portugal
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
A Skywalker indeed!
Morocco 1-0 Portugal
Skywalker 🆙#MAR | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/XscSNSHzlW
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 10, 2022
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
Half time: Morocco is doing what they came to do! Sit deep and hurt Portugal on the counter! The goal was a result of Yahia Attiyat Allah finding plenty of space on the left flank and took his time to point and deliver a sweet cross into the box with Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri jumping taller than goalkeeper Diogo Costa to head the ball into the goal for the lead.
That wasn’t the last action of the half as Yahia Attiyat Allah found space on the left flank again and got himself into the box but couldn’t keep his shot on the target. Portugal coach Fernando Santos will have to change his approach in the second half if the Iberian nation really wants to stay in this competition!
Morocco 1-0 Portugal
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
42’ Goal! En Neysri jumps the tallest to head the ball into the goal! Morocco magic continues in Qatar!
Morocco 1-0 Portugal
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
35’ There’s no clear cut chances on offer at the moment but Morocco are threatening on the counter time and again with midfielder Ounahi twice ran through the midfield to start promising attack but the side struggled to keep their composure inside the box. For Portugal, only Joao Felix has seen action in front of the goal as he has shot twice from outside the box and wasn’t that far off the target. Still a very cagey affair.
Morocco 0-0 Portugal
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
25’ Ziyech is showing his craft through set pieces again as he delivered a tasty in-direct free-kick into the box from 30 yards that striker En-Nesyri heads too far off the target. Still promising from the Arab nation!
Morocco 0-0 Portugal
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
20’ Portugal are trying to build their attack through the right flank with Diego Dalot overlapping but no success yet. Morocco, on the other hand, are doing the same through Ziyech and he is threatening to deliver dangerous crosses. The only issue so far for the Morocco winger has been his preference to deliver crosses using his strong left foot is causing him to lose some precious moments on the counter.
Morocco 0-0 Portugal
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
12’ Bernardo Silva is dropping deep to help in the build up but that hasn’t really allowed him to find any space on the flank as the Moroccans are stretching their backline smartly. A half a chance did fall to Bruno Fernandez, whose weak left-footed punch couldn’t reach the goalkeeper.
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
5’ Both teams with an attack each so far with Portugal’s Joao Felix coming the closest with a header on the target, which was parried away by keeper Bounou to safety.
Morocco 0-0 Portugal
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
3’ Nothing meaningful so far as Portugal are trying to gain some rhythm by passing the ball along the backline while Morocco already eager to sit deep in a 4-4-2 formation.
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
We are seconds away from kick-off for an in-form Portugal, who are egging to score more after 6-1 rout of Switzerland in the round of 16 but Morocco’s 4-3-3 ultra-defensive setup is the meanest defense in World Cup so far and is drawing inspiration from Croatia’s penalty shootout win over Brazil the other night.
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
Portugal form guide in Qatar
Portugal 6-1 Switzerland
Group stages
South Korea 2-1 Portugal
Portugal 2-0 Uruguay
Portugal 3-2 Ghana
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
Both teams are out for the national anthem and Morocco’s Cherifian Anthem to be played first, followed by Portugal’s ‘A Portuguesa’
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
Morocco form guide in Qatar
Round of 16
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0)
Group Stages
Canada 1-2 Morocco
Morocco 2-0 Belgium
Croatia 0-0 Morocco
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
Stands are filling up fast as Portugal and Morocco fans are enthralling the Al Thumama Stadium with minutes left for kick-off. Just 15 minutes more!
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
While this is the first time Morocco play in the World Cup quarter-finals, this is not the first time an African nation plays at this stage. Let’s take a look at the results in previous editions
◉ Cameroon 2-3 (aet) England (1990)
◉ Senegal 0-1 (aet) Turkey (2002)
◉ Ghana 1-1 (2-4 on pens) Uruguay (2010)
The previous three have all gone to extra-time at least. Will Morocco make it four and go all the way?
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
The line-ups are out and no prizes for guessing that Cristiano Ronaldo starts from the bench again. It’s too hard to drop Goncalo Ramos, who is fresh after scoring a hat-trick.
FIFA World Cup Live: Morocco vs Portugal
Hello and welcome to the Live coverage of the third quarterfinal match of the FIFA World Cup in Morocco vs Portugal. Hakim Ziyech-starring Arabian nation stunned Spain in the round-of-16 on penalties to reach the last eight stages for the first time while Portugal walloped Switzerland 6-1. Read below for complete match preview
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