Cristiano Ronaldo will attempt to follow up his World Cup opening game heroics for Portugal against a Morocco side licking their wounds after a crushing last-gasp defeat. A hat-trick from the five-time world player of the year snatched a thrilling 3-3 draw for the European champions against Spain in a heavyweight Group B showdown in Sochi. It was Ronaldo’s 51st career hat-trick, and the 51st in the tournament’s history, as the Real Madrid star became just the fourth player to score in four World Cups. “I am very happy, it’s a nice personal record to have, one more in my career,” said Ronaldo. “For me the most important thing is to emphasise what the team did against one of the favourites to win this World Cup.” Despite lifting the trophy at Euro 2016, Portugal are not widely viewed as among the favourites in Russia but can take a big step towards the last 16 with victory over Morocco in Moscow on Wednesday. “I think we are stronger than Morocco if we compare the two teams, but I’m not saying the game will be easy for us,” striker Andre Silva told reporters at Portugal’s training base. “We cannot underestimate them and must have respect for any opponent. Any game at the World Cup is difficult.” It will be just the second meeting between the two countries, after Morocco beat Portugal 3-1 in the group stage at the 1986 finals. Morocco did not concede a single goal in the final qualifying round as they sealed a return to the World Cup for the first time in 20 years, but their knockout hopes hang by a thread after a 95th-minute own goal by Aziz Bouhaddouz against Iran. ‘We’re not dead’ Herve Renard’s men face a monumental challenge, with games to come against Portugal and Spain, but midfielder Faycal Fajr is adamant all is not lost for the Atlas Lions. “If I said that we don’t believe we can qualify it would be a lie,” said Fajr, one of 17 players born abroad in Morocco’s 23-man squad. “I could throw out some examples, like the Argentina draw (1-1 with Iceland). Where there’s a will there’s a way. (The Portuguese) have two feet, two legs and they are humans like us.” “We lost a battle but we haven’t lost the war. We’re not dead,” he added." Renard lamented that Morocco were “crucified by our own errors” in the loss to Iran, but the Frenchman is used to defying the odds, having led outsiders Zambia to a surprise triumph at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. He then became the first coach to win the continental title with two different teams three years later, guiding the Ivory Coast to glory. Morocco will need Renard to conjure up more magic to prevent an early exit, although Fajr says the mood in the camp remains positive. “Even after the defeat, the atmosphere was terrific,” he said. “We’ve been waiting for this moment for 20 years, all Moroccans have been waiting for this for 20 years. We’re one big family.” Click here for full coverage of FIFA World Cup 2018 Click here to view the full schedule of FIFA World Cup 2018 Click here to view the points table of FIFA World Cup 2018
Portugal vs Morocco Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2018, Match 18 at Moscow: Portugal win 1-0, Morocco ousted
Catch the live score and updates from the Group B match between Portugal and Morocco at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow
 "Portugal vs Morocco Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2018, Match 18 at Moscow: Portugal win 1-0, Morocco ousted")
That’s it from us here!
Head over to our live blog of the Group A clash between Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to catch all the latest updates from their Group A clash. Thank you!
Here’s how Uruguay and Saudi Arabia line up!
Uruguay: Muslera; Varela, Giménez, Godín, Cáceres; Sánchez, Bentancur, Vecino, C. Rodríguez; Cavani, Suárez.
Saudi Arabia: Al-Owais; Hawsawi, Al-Bulayhi, Al-Burayk, Al-Shahrani; Al-Faraj, Bahbir, Ateef, Al-Jassam; Al-Dawsari, Al-Muwallad.
Full-time stats
Morocco leading in each attacking statistic but Portugal get the statistic that matter the most.
Stat alert!
26 of the 43 World Cup goals have now come from a set-piece situation: 60% (8 penalties, 7 corners, 10 free-kicks, 1 throw in)
Morocco bow out
Arnav: This is a deeply unfortunate result. Morocco have been far from the worst team at this tournament, and they don’t deserve to be the first knocked out. I really wish we could have seen more from the likes of Amrabat and Ziyach. That was at least an entertaining game. Morocco deserved at least a draw.
Morocco bow out
As Benatia blazed over in added time, it became certain that today was not Morocco’s day. It has not been their World Cup either. The Atlas Lions have bossed two matches and lost both of them, becoming the first side to be knocked out of the tournament in the process. As for Portugal, serious questions will be asked of today’s performance. The European champions were second best in all departments and a more clinical opponent would have defeated Santos and his players today. However, with four points in the kitty and Iran to come, Portugal will back itself to progress to the knockouts. A certain Cristiano Ronaldo looks in top form. He is also this World Cup’s top scorer now.
FT! Portugal beat Morocco!
Peep peeep peeeeeep! And that’s that! Portugal get all three points and Morocco become the first team to be eliminated from the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo struck his fourth goal of the tournament in the fourth minute to take the lead in the race for the golden boot. Morocco created chance after chance but lacked a finishing touch up front.
90+2` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Arnav: Get exasperated with one Benatia miss, shame on me. Get exasperated with two Benatia misses, shame on Benatia.
90+2` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Benatia spurns another gilt-edged opportunity to grab an equaliser. From a corner, he gets the ball near the penalty spot. He takes a touch and looks to blast it into the top corner but sends it well over the bar.
90` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Skandha: Ziyach really is a special talent.
89` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
What a chance for Ziyach to pull Morocco level! He gets at the end of Amrabat’s pass and looks set to crash a left-footed shot right into the top corner but the ball takes a deflection off Pepe and balloons over.
88` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Santos looks to play it safe as the match winds to a finish. The already booked João Moutinho is hooked for Adrien Silva. It’s lockdown time.
86` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Final substitution for Morocco as Renard looks to have a proper go at Portugal. The defensive midfielder Karim El Ahmadi is dispensed for Fayçal Fajr
85` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Poor defending from Benatia as he loses the ball right on the edge of the box and has to bring down Ronaldo to prevent him from going one-on-one with the keeper. Ronaldo looks ominous as he goes about his usual routine before a free-kick. All comes to nought as he slams the ball against the wall.
82` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Portugal began the half with the intention of extending their lead but the focus now is on defending. And it’s a job the Portuguese are doing well. Morocco are barely allowed a sight of the goal.
81` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Portugal finally get out of their half. Cedric finds Moutinho who squares the ball to Bruno Fernandes. The substitute has a crack at goal but the ball rolls harmlessly away from goal.
80` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Arnav: How long has it been since Portugal got out of their own half?
78` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
This time Morocco win a corner and Ziyach with another peach of a delivery into the box but none of his teammates can get a meaningful touch on the ball.
78` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Another free-kick and another chance wasted. Ziyach swings the free-kick towards Benatia at the front post but the ball comes of his shoulder and flies just wide of the post.
75` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Mehdi Carcela replaces Younes Belhanda as Renard desperately seeks a goal. Portugal will be pleased with the direction in which this match is headed. Morocco is struggling to make incisive breaks into the opposition box and time is running out.
74` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Second change from Morocco and Belhanda, who had a good game, comes off for Mehdi Carcela. Morocco continue their probing but are lacking that killer touch in front of goal. Someone of Ronaldo’s calibre could have gotten a hat-trick from the number of chances created by the likes of Ziyach and Amrabat.
70` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Arnav: The Portuguese players are starting to play a bit rough. Morocco have had lots of set pieces already and may feel hard done by not to have had more.
69` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
First change for Morocco, it’s a like for like replacement as El Kabbi takes Boutaib’s place. Portugal have also altered their team, with Bruno Fernandes coming on for João Mario.
67` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
The Moroccans win another free-kick on the right. Ziyach goes for goal but it curls over the bar.
65` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
It has gotten a bit scrappy, so the crowd is keeping itself entertained with a Mexican wave.
63` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Skandha: Ronaldo is great and everything. But Amrabat has been the game’s best player for me.
61` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Arnav: It was a tougher chance than it looked like. He was off balance and had to strike it with his weaker foot
60` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Skandha: How on earth did Benatia miss that?!
60` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
The chances are coming thick and fast for Morocco now. From a set-piece, the ball falls kindly for Benatia in the box but he shanks his volley way off target.
59` Portugal 1-0 Portugal
Bernardo Silva off as Santos looks to shake things up. FC Sporting’s Gelson Martins is his replacement. Morocco have slowly grown in this half to lay siege on Portugal’s goal. Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates are living dangerously.
57` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Arnav: Well scratch that. A phenomenal save from Patricio and Morocco are starting to look threatening. Set piece after set piece. This is exciting. I’m changing my earlier statement-it’s a 1-1 draw for me
56` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
And just as Skandha rues Morocco’s lack of scoring opportunities, Herve Renard’s men twice come to levelling. First Belhands looks to curl on in from a cutback from Amrabat but Patricio saves. The new Wolves signing does one better a minute later when Ziyach’s free-kick is flicked on towards the bottom corner by Belhanda but Patricio does incredibly well to get down low and palm it away. Morocco looking increasingly liking to score here.
54` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Portugal in control in the opening exchanges of this half. It has been a more open game than what Fernando Santos would like but Morocco’s insistence on attack means that there are plenty of opportunities to counter.
53` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Skandha: It’s strange. Morocco don’t look like scoring, but don’t deserve to lose
52` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Portugal have never lost a World Cup match in which they have been leading at half-time before today (P11 W9 D2 L0). Morocco have never previously won when trailing at the interval (P5 W0 D1 L4). Doesn’t look good for the African side.
52` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Arnav: Wow! Maybe Ronaldo is human after all.
51` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Quick free-kick taken long by Portugal and Joao Mario and Guedes combine on the left of the box. The West Ham gets to the byline and cuts it back to Guedes. With all the time in the world, Guedes shoots first time but it instead of going towards goal, it goes sideways. Ronaldo comes motoring into the box intending to rip the net open but somehow sends it row Z.
48` Portugal 1-0 Morocco
Ananya: The second half hasn’t started nearly as excitingly as the first.
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