Defeat seemed harsh for Morocco, which was better than Portugal in the second half, creating a half-dozen excellent chances that might have produced a tying goal, and because only the day’s schedule sent them out of the World Cup before Saudi Arabia, which has not played nearly as well and lost to Uruguay, 1-0, in the day’s second game.
But Ronaldo’s score also was the worst possible start for the Moroccans, who dropped their opening game against Iran on a 95th-minute goal and promptly fell behind Portugal after only four.
Photo
Portugal had won a corner kick, and Ronaldo casually jogged into the center of the penalty area to receive it. Everyone knew the cross would come to him, no one more than Morocco’s Manuel Da Costa, who accepted the challenge of staying between Ronaldo and the ball.
Except that Da Costa did not. A shift of the hips and a half-dozen quick strides by Ronaldo — speed he now reserves for only the most appetizing moments — and he was free. The ball arrived on his forehead and just like that was redirected into the net. Portugal led. Ronaldo preened. And four minutes into their second game of the World Cup, Morocco wondered if it might be on its way out.
Ronaldo mostly stalked the rest of the match — a threatening presence more than a particularly active one — while Morocco banged away without success at the other end.
”We should have been much more effective,” Morocco Coach Hervé Renard said. “Just like in our opening game, we had lots of scoring opportunities. But those who know how to be in the penalty area and are the most gifted players know how to make a difference. ”Portugal will have to be better than it was if it is to challenge in the later rounds here, Santos said: more disciplined, more creative, more willing to impose itself on teams rather than wait to counterattack.”We played well,” Santos said, “but I think we need more than that.”
But Santos rejected the assumption, posed by more than one reporter, that his team had been poor, and that Ronaldo had looked ineffective or, worse, old.
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“Cristiano is like a port wine,” Santos said. “He knows how to refine his capacity and age at his best.”
The secret, he said, is what was plain to see: Ronaldo is not the same player he was in his 20s. He is more efficient now — deadly so, at least through two matches — and aware of what he can do.
“He’s always evolving,” Santos continued. “Because he knows himself and he knows what he can do. He doesn’t want to do the things he did two or three years ago, and he will not be doing the same things two or three years from now.”
——
Here’s how Portugal beat Morocco, from Victor Mather:
90’ +4: Morocco Just Can’t Find the Goal
A long free kick by Morocco bounces around in the box tantalizingly. It’s Benatia again, it’s over the bar again.
90’ +2: Pepe Goes Down on a Pat
Benatia of Morocco pats Pepe on the back. Pepe goes down hard, then leaps up and yells at Benatia. Pepe, 35, has been known in his career for a hot temper.
90’: Ziyech Denied
Suddenly Ziyech is free in the box for Morocco: a dribble and a shot, but it’s blocked. Five minutes of added time.
83’: Ronaldo Free Kick Off the Wall
Morocco brings down Ronaldo right on the penalty line. It’s judged to be just outside the box, so a very dangerous free kick, not a penalty. Ronaldo ... everyone grabs their cameras ... off the wall. He has a big smile afterward. After the free kick, Ronaldo goes to ground but does not get a call.
80’: Back and Forth
Portugal, Morocco, Portugal, etc. Ziyech misses on a corner. Pepe kicks the ball onto his own hand. Action at both ends.
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79’: Another Free Kick for Morocco
Ziyach takes a free kick from the right, which goes to Benatia. He can’t get his head on it, though, and the shot goes wide.
76’: Morocco Feeling the Pressure
Morocco is racing around the pitch, playing hard defense, passing nicely, getting some crosses and free kicks. They just haven’t been able to finish.
A loss in this game would eliminate them from the World Cup. They have yet to score a goal in two games.
68’: Another Free Kick for Morocco Goes Over
A good extended period of control ends with a free kick to Morocco just outside the box. But Ziyech sends it over.
Andrew Das: Morocco’s best spell seems to have ended without the goal it needs so desperately. We’ve got some fresh legs on both sides now, though, and should see more on this hot day. Maybe one of them will land the decisive blow.
65’: Guerreiro Booked
Guerreiro has struggled all game against Amrabat. He’s now booked for grabbing and pulling him down.
65’: Portugal Struggling to Slow Morocco
Another series of attacks by Morocco ends with a tepid shot from Achraf Hakimi that is saved easily. Portugal cannot shut Morocco out of the game.
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61’: Benatia Takes His Turn
A free kick for Morocco ends up on the foot of Mehdi Benatia, who turns and shoots. Over the bar.
59’: Applause for Defense
While we’ve been praising the offenses, a word for the fine play from the rest of the teams. Portugal’s keeper Patrico has made several good saves, and Morocco has foiled Portugal counters by having their defensemen regularly in the right places.
57’: Patricio Makes Huge Save
And it’s Morocco again. Leaping save by Rui Patricio on Belhanda. It feels like a goal must be coming at one end or the other.
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Andrew Das: Tremendous save by Patricio, who has now had two in a couple of minutes. Morocco has found its footing, and they are trying to cash in before they lose it again.
55’: Morocco Making Some Noise
Morocco’s Amrabat finds room on the right, then sends one to Belhanda, who fires one right at Patricio.
50’: Rare Miss for Ronaldo
Ronaldo charges in unmarked but launches the ball over the net. Portugal playing better this half.
48’: Portugal Misses Wide
A creative corner for Portugal leads to a header by Jose Fonte, but it goes wide. Same setup as the corner that led to a goal, but this time the target was Fonte instead of Ronaldo, who played decoy.
46’: Morocco Will Keep Pressing
Second half underway. Morocco will keep looking for that equalizer.
Halftime Reading: Russian Doping Lab Now a Gastro Pub
Andrew Keh watched the Russia-Egypt game at the site of the infamous Sochi lab at the center of the Russian doping scandal, which is now a gastro pub with doping-themed cocktails. Read Andrew’s story here.
Halftime: Portugal 1, Morocco 0
An entertaining game. Underdogs are often in bad shape when they fall behind in matches like this. Morocco played about as well as you could ask. They just didn’t quite get a goal. Goof for Morocco: they took seven shots to Portugal’s five, and 50 percent of the possession. Portugal was forced into 17 clearances in the half.
Andrew Das: Morocco had some chances in the half, and Amrabat especially has been persistent trouble for Guerreiro on the right wing. But the Moroccans haven’t taken advantage of the chances they have created, and Ronaldo buried his really good one. And that, I guess, is why Real Madrid pays him all that money.
47’: Morocco Threatens, but Misses
Header by Belhanda goes wide. Morocco still attacking.
41’: Close Call for Morocco
Morocco’s attacking style leaves them a wee bit open at the back, and Ronaldo finds Goncalo Guedes, who forces a one-handed save, then fluffs the rebound. Great save by Mohamedi Munir. That really should have been 2-0.
Andrew Das: Morocco needs a little composure here. They feel very aggrieved by a couple of calls, and they’ve lashed out a couple times. Benatia just got a yellow for persistent infringement — basically, a handful of fouls that added up to one yellow once he rolled Ronaldo at midfield — and they just lost Guedes and had to be bailed out by their goalkeeper. Going into halftime down by 1-0 is not great. Going in down by 2-0 would be worse.
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36’: Patricio Keeping Busy
Portugal keeper Rui Patricio catches a lobbed shot and upbraids his defense. He’s working harder than expected.
35’: Not Even Close
El Ahmadi’s speculative shot for Morocco lands in row Z.
33’: Free Kick for Ronaldo
After appealing for a foul on one end, Morocco commits one on the other. Ronaldo stands over a short free kick. Goal No. 5? No, it goes off the wall. End-to-end action right now.
27’: Penalty Appeal for Morocco
Amrabat of Morocco goes down in the box and a big penalty appeal goes up. No call. The Morocco bench wants video review. Still no call. Amrabat lifts his shirt to reveal blood to the viewing audience. No call.
Andrew Das: Both players were holding, Geiger tells a furious Herve Renard at the next stoppage, and the replays confirm. Either way, the contact happened outside the area, so it shouldn’t have been a penalty. Geiger explained as much to the Moroccan players, and then goes to the sideline to talk with Renard about confronting the fourth official.
“Both were holding,” one can discern from amateur lip-reading. And he’s right. Guerreiro pulls up his shirt to show a nasty red wound from Boutaib’s hand.
26’: Ronaldo Rolls
Benatia bumps into Ronaldo, and Ronaldo executes the “oh-I’m-injured” barrel roll. Three rotations. He’s fine.
24’: Portugal Looking to Regain Control
Long-range effort by Ziyach of Morocco was saved. Portugal is going to want to get control of the ball a bit more. The thing is, if teams get enough shots and enough chances, the ball eventually goes in. Morocco is getting a lot of chances right now.
Andrew Das: Ronaldo is strolling mostly, or walking in the first half. His economy of movement, and effort, is remarkable. Sometimes he’ll just stand still, watching for a bit, then jog a few steps. But he only runs when he has to run, and those are the moments when everyone edges forward on their seat a little.
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20’: Morocco Keeps Shooting
Morocco, as you might expect, is throwing everything at Portugal and it’s working. Ziyech and Boussoufa got close-in shots that drew saves.
12’: Morocco Gets a Look
The chances are coming thick and fast! A header from Benatia of Morocco, the captain, is saved at the corner of the net. Both teams are playing an open and aggressive brand of soccer.
9’: Ronaldo Threatens Again
Nearly two for Ronaldo. He dribbled right, shot left (through a defender’s legs), but it went barely wide. Morocco is in deep trouble here.
GOAL! Portugal Leads 1-0
That was fast. Portugal took a tricky short corner, and Moutinho quickly stepped up to send it into the box. Who should be there to head it in but that man Cristiano Ronaldo? Goal No. 4 for him at this World Cup.
Andrew Das: How do you lose Cristiano Ronaldo on a corner? I mean, c’mon Morocco. Somehow, Manuel Da Costa fell for a stutter step, turned his head, and got beat. Any player at the World Cup buries a free header from six yards. Ronaldo? He lives for them.
3’: Morocco Attacks First
Morocco started fast, whipping the ball downfield. Eventually new striker Boutaib got off a headed shot, which missed wide.
Kickoff!
Portugal in a blinding all-white and Morocco in red with green shorts. Portugal have brought in the skillful midfielder Joao Mario. Three changes for Morocco, including the forward Khalid Boutaib and two new defenders, Dirar and Da Costa.
#PORMAR // Formations... #WorldCup https://t.co/hm2SGyS07i — FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) 1529494158000
Yellow card for Adrien Silva for a rough tackleFive minutes of stoppage time added to the match as some heated words are exchanged between Pepe and Mehdi BenatiaPortugal's Joao Moutinho is substituted by Adrien SilvaMorocco's Karim El Ahmadi is substituted by Fayçal FajrMehdi Benatia makes a rough tackle against Ronaldo, Portugal get a free kick, Ronaldo hits but it fails to breach the wall of the Moroccan defendersPortugal attack after a long time, but Fernandes' hit goes wide of the goalCorner for Morocco, but it is fended off by the Portuguese defendersHard luck continues for Morocco, they get another free kick, but captain Mehdi Benatia's header goes wide of the goalMorocco's Younès Belhanda is substituted by Mehdi CarcelaFree kick for Morocco but the ball flies straight into the hands of Portugal goalkeeper Rui PatricioPortugal's Joao Mario is substituted by Bruno FernandesSpot kick for Morocco but it goes way over the topFree kick for Morocco, captain Mehdi Benatia gets the pass in front but his kick see the ball going over the Portugal goalBernardo Silva is substituted by Gelson MartinsFree kick for Morocco, a superb header by Younes Belhanda but Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio dives to his right to make a brilliant saveHe gets a pass just in front of the goal but his ferocious kick sees the ball go high over the goal postPortugal get an early corner in the second half but it goes beggingFree kick for Morocco but it flashed past captain Mehdi Benatia before he could reactThree minutes of stoppage time added to the first halfMorocco captain Mehdi Benatia gets a yellow card for a rough tackle on RonaldoRonaldo takes a spot kick but it's blocked by the defenders of MoroccoCorner for Morocco and captain Mehdi Benatia heads it but it goes straight into the hands of goalkeeper Rui PatricioAn unmarked Ronaldo gets a pass in front and he shoots but it goes wide, seems like we're in for a goal feastEarly corner for Portugal and Ronaldo heads it in, as simple as that, he was unmarked! You leave Ronaldo unmarked and you pay for it Morocco: Rui Patricio; Cedric, Pepe, Jose Fonte, Raphael Guerreiro; Joao Moutinho, William Carvalho, Joao Mario, Bernardo Silva; Goncalo Guedes, Cristiano Ronaldo (capt)Fernando Santos (POR): Monir El Kajoui; Nabil Dirar, Mehdi Benatia (capt), Manuel Da Costa, Achraf Hakimi; Mbark Boussoufa, Karim El Ahmadi; Nordin Amrabat, Younes Belhanda, Hakim Ziyach; Khalid BoutaibHerve Renard (FRA)Mark Geiger (USA)Hello and welcome to the live coverage of Group B match between Portugal and Morocco. The match starts at 17:30 IST.
They do call Portugal a one-man team and when that one man is Cristiano Ronaldo, a footballer so famous that even the Russians would not need to see his passport, you can understand why the World Cup finals has fallen under his spell.
Without Ronaldo, there would be none of the four goals registered by Portugal in this tournament including the winner against Morocco, which has taken his overall tally to 85, the most scored in international football by a European footballer. Without Ronaldo this would be a mediocre team, rather than a mediocre team with a first-class goalscorer who barely has to flash a glance at the camera to get himself voted the sponsors’ man of the match.
Yet Portugal are a bit more than that. They also encompass Pepe, Ronaldo’s erstwhile Real Madrid team-mate, who slumped to the ground in agony when Menat Benatia tapped him on the shoulder, and also launched himself like a bowling ball at the Morocco defenders who were trying to block the corner from which Portugal scored. Portugal, are also the goalkeeper Rui Patricio, on his way to Wolverhampton Wanderers, whose fine save in the second half from Younes Belhandia preserved his team’s lead.
But mostly Portugal are a team happy to defend whatever margin Ronaldo’s opportunism affords them, a side that will only relinquish a lead if their fingers are prised off one by one. Even their usually unrepentant coach Fernando Santos admitted this was an unambitious performance and affected dismay that his players should back off Morocco for most of the 86 minutes after Ronaldo’s goal - although that seems to be the usual gameplan.
From Morocco, the first team eliminated from Russia 2018, there was everything but a goal. Their white-shirted, lantern-jawed French coach Herve Renard, who watches from the touchline like a Monaco divorcee scrutinising the dance-floor, listed all the things he was proud of afterwards and lamented the performance of the American referee. Mark Geiger, he intimated, had failed to see Pepe launch himself at the two Moroccans before the goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal can celebrate, but it wasn’t a confidence-building win. (Carl Recine/Reuters)
MOSCOW — All that is wonderful and rotten about the World Cup surfaced at sold-out Luzhniki Stadium on Wednesday.
We’ll begin with the good, because that is why people traveled great distances and are spending stacks of rubles to attend. It’s why hundreds of millions around the blue planet will watch on various electronic devices at all hours for four weeks.
Goodness was on display before four minutes had transpired in the Portugal-Morocco match as that handsome devil, Cristiano Ronaldo, continued his hellacious start to this tournament by ditching a defender and nodding a cross into the net.
His fourth goal in two games stood up, but just barely, as Portugal dodged one threat after another before escaping with a 1-0 victory.
With four points, the European champions are on the cusp of a round-of-16 berth out of Group B — and a possible showdown with goal-happy Russia.
“If we lost, we could be out,” Ronaldo said. Instead, “we’re almost there.”
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Now the bad: Joseph “Sepp” Blatter, the disgraced former president of FIFA, soccer’s tainted governing body, arrived in Russia to attend two matches this week.
In doing so, he has cast a shadow over a cheery tournament and rekindled dark memories of a corruption scandal that paralyzed the sport three years ago and resulted in numerous federal indictments.
Found guilty by FIFA of financial misconduct, Blatter, 82, is banned from serving in the sport for another 3½ years. Nothing, however, prevents him from buying a ticket or accepting an invitation to watch in a VIP area. In this case, the latter applied.
Who would invite him? Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Blatter had helped steer support for Russia’s World Cup bid which, like Qatar’s victory in the race to host the 2022 tournament, was marred by bribe allegations. (Putin did not attend Wednesday.)
Blatter’s name wasn’t on the official list of VIPs in attendance, issued by FIFA at kickoff. While Gianni Infantino, Blatter’s successor, watched from FIFA’s suite, Blatter was elsewhere on the luxury level. He also plans to attend the Brazil-Costa Rica affair Friday in St. Petersburg.
Attempting to rehabilitate his career — and perhaps troll the current FIFA leadership — he has agreed to several interviews, signed autographs and posed for photographs. FIFA hasn’t commented on his presence.
Okay, back to the match. Ronaldo provided the lead on a six-yard header, his 85th goal (in 152 appearances) to set European soccer’s all-time scoring record in international matches. He had been tied with Hungary’s Ferenc Puskas (84 in 85 matches from 1945 to ’56).
[Complete World Cup standings, results and schedule]
Bernardo Silva played a short corner to Joao Moutinho, who whipped a cross to the edge of the six-yard box. Manuel da Costa lost track of Ronaldo, a blunder that, given the distance, was deadly.
A day earlier, Morocco Coach Herve Renard said his team must make Ronaldo “less exceptional.” It failed.
After the match, Renard said, “The most gifted players are the ones who make all the difference.”
Aside from Portugal’s opponents, Ronaldo is locked in an unofficial competition with his fellow megastar, Argentina’s Lionel Messi. So far, it’s a blowout. The Real Madrid forward leads the tournament in goals; Messi missed a penalty and was largely contained by Iceland on Saturday.
“He’s like a fine port wine,” Portugal Coach Fernando Santos said of his 33-year-old ace. “He knows how to refine his game. He is constantly evolving. He knows what he can do. He knows himself and he knows how to improve himself.”
Ronaldo’s four goals have come on a goalkeeping miscue, a penalty kick, an outrageous free kick and now a header. He had scored one goal in each of his previous three World Cups.
Renard thought the goal should’ve been disallowed because Portuguese defender Pepe wiped out a Moroccan player away from the ball. “Have a good look [at replays] and look at what [Pepe] is doing,” he said to a room full of reporters. “And write the truth.”
Santos countered by saying: “The first foul was really the Morocco player. And then Pepe defended himself.”
U.S. referee Mark Geiger had no issues and let the goal stand.
Portugal’s lead was not airtight, by any means. Morocco forced the issue and generated numerous opportunities, which were undermined by wayward shooting and Rui Patricio’s goalkeeping.
Back to Ronaldo: There are few moments in soccer, perhaps in all of sport, that crackle with anticipation more than those few seconds before he strikes a free kick.
In the 32nd minute, with a free kick from 21 yards, Ronaldo looked to repeat the sensational set piece from the dying moments of Friday’s 3-3 draw with Spain. This time, he pounded it into the wall. (The same thing occurred in the dying moments of the match.)
There were other opportunities to put away the match and grow his scoring total. Early in the second half, he ran onto a rolling ball inside the penalty area and lined up a thunderous shot that would surely send Morocco to the brink of defeat. His effort sailed deep into the Moroccan supporters’ section.
Nonetheless, Ronaldo ruled the day again — no matter how hard Blatter tried.
— Steven Goff
***
What’s next
Portugal: vs. Iran in Saransk, June 25, 2 p.m.
Morocco: vs. Spain in Kaliningrad, June 25, 2 p.m.
Uruguay, Luis Suarez face off with Saudi Arabia
Iran vs. Spain: La Furia Roja needs a win
***
In-game updates
Hey, it’s Ronaldo
In the 84th minute, it’s Morocco’s turn for a sloppy clear and Ronaldo — unheard from for a very long stretch — is fouled inches outside the box. His free kick bangs off the wall.
Fayçal Fajr replaces Karim El Ahmadi, and Morocco is out of subs.
Minutes later, Joao Joao Moutinho is off and Adrien Silva is on for Portugal, which is likewise out of subs. Silva draws a yellow card for an errant takedown minutes later.
Another sub for Morocco
Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez enters for Morocco, replacing Younes Belhanda in the 75th minute. The latter had a good stretch in the second half.
Amrabat is now attacking the left side of the field, it appears. Interesting.
The frazzled Portuguese
Ahead of a Morocco close-in free kick in the 67th minute — Ziyach sent it well over the bar — Portugal’s players seemed to be pleading with Coach Fernando Santos to make some changes in the back to fend off this relentless attack. He responded by sending in Bruno Fernandes for Joao Mario (Fernandes started Portugal’s World Cup opener ahead of Mario).
Meanwhile, Ayoub El Kaabi is on for Morocco, replacing Khalid Boutaib up top.
Portugal sub
Gelson Martins comes in for Bernardo Silva in the 59th minute.
More sloppiness from Portugal
The favorites continue to do themselves no favors, lethargically giving the ball away at midfield numerous times over the first 10 minutes of the second half. Morocco continues to press after the miscues, and in the 55th minute, Younes Belhanda sent a rocket that Patricia had to reach to stop.
Two minutes later, Patricio has the save of the game, again on Belhanda, who headed a free kick toward the goal. Patricio dives with all of his height to save it.
Halftime: Portugal 1, Morocco 0
The score line says Portugal is winning, but that’s far from apparent on the field. Amrabat’s ability to race the ball past the Portugal defense on the right side is giving the favorite all sorts of troubles. All the Atlas Lions need is one clean cross and we’re talking about an entirely different game.
Almost 2-0
In the 39th minute, Ronaldo chips the ball to an advancing Gonçalo Guedes, who had gotten a step on the defense in the box. El Kajoui is able to make the save, however.
Less than a minute later, Morocco’s Mehdi Benatia gets a yellow card after being repeatedly warned. The crowd seems eminently, loudly pro-Morocco, and they’re not happy with the calls. Morocco has been whistled for 10 fouls, 5 for Portugal.
More from Morocco
Take away the goal and it’s been all Morocco, whose attack is best described as frantic.
Mehdi Benatia shoves Ronaldo to the turf from behind in the 25th minute and gets a stern lecture from referee Mark Geiger. Ronaldo writhed around for a bit clutching his ankle, but he’s back.
Morocco Coach Herve Renard also gets a talking-to after vehemently protesting the lack of a call when Nordin Amrabat is taken down by Raphael Guerreiro in — or at least very near to — the box. No review, play on.
Morocco not backing down
Apart from some questionable marking of the world’s greatest player — Ronaldo got another good attempt not long after his goal — Morocco isn’t laying down, forcing Rui Patricio to get down and made a save off a header in the 11th minute. They’ve had a number of okay chances already.
Goal!
In the fourth minute, who else: Ronaldo heads it in after a short corner kick is delivered right to his skull. Nifty step around the defender in the box to get free, and he’s done it again. It’s his 85th career international goal, moving him past Ferenc Puskas of Hungary for the most by a European player.
What, like scoring goals is hard or something?
Cristiano Ronaldo heads in his 4th of the FIFA #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/yNWw3fVQqu — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 20, 2018
New look for Ronaldo?
Opening thoughts
Everyone still is talking about Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat trick in last week’s mesmerizing 3-3 draw with Spain, but let’s not forget that one of those goals shouldn’t have happened: Spain goalkeeper David De Gea let one through that he usually would have stopped late in the first half, when Spain was dominating. A save there, and the run-up to Wednesday’s clash with Morocco could have had an entirely different theme. As it stands, Portugal doesn’t want anything less than a win here.
Nordin Amrabat will play for Morocco even after he bonked heads with Iran’s Vahid Amiri in last week’s dispiriting 1-0 loss, suffering a concussion. With matches looming against Portugal and Spain, the Atlas Lions desperately needed to come away with at least a point against Iran, a hope that was dashed when Aziz Bouhaddouz headed the ball into his own net well into extra time in the second half. Morocco now needs at least a draw with Portugal to have any chance at the knockout round, a tall task.
The lineups
Portugal: Patricio, Cedric, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro, Silva, Moutinho, Carvalho, Mario, Guedes, Ronaldo.
Morocco: Mohamedi, Dirar, Da Costa, Benatia, Hakimi, El Ahmadi, Boussoufa, Belhanda, Harit, Boutaib, Ziyech.
Of note: Joao Mario replaces Bruno Fernandes on the left side of Portugal’s midfield. For Morocco, Manuel Da Costa — son of a Portuguese father and a Moroccan mother — replaces Romain Saïss in the center of its defense.
— Matt Bonesteel
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