#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.
Setelah kebobolan gol Ronaldo di awal laga, Maroko sebenarnya jadi tim dengan penampilan yang lebih baik. Maroko berani memberikan pressing ke pemain Portugal sejak masih di pertahanan sendiri, plus melakukan tusukan terutama dari sisi lapangan. Setidaknya ada tiga tembakan berhasil dilepaskan pemain-pemain Maroko dalam 10 menit terakhir.
Mitch Freeley
You can watch the stream of Portugal Vs Morocco via beIN SPORTS CONNECT.
Match Report
Cristiano Ronaldo took just four minutes to score the goal that made him the top-scoring European in international football as Portugal beat Morocco 1-0 in Moscow to dump Herve Renard's men out of the World Cup.
One the tournament's star performers so far picked up where he left off after his hat-trick against Spain in Portugal's opening 3-3 Group B draw, heading Fernando Santos' men into an early lead with a goal that moved him to 85 international goals - one ahead of the legendary Ferenc Puskas in the all-time standings.
Morocco head coach Renard came into the game having seen his players denied a point after dominating much of their opening encounter against Iran and they were largely the better side here too, keeping Portugal on the back foot and quelling the threat of Ronaldo for long periods.
Renard was involved in discussions with officials over two rejected first-half penalty claims but his side created enough chances to score from open play had they been more accurate in front of goal.
Portugal once again relied upon Ronaldo to produce their best moments and the weaknesses evident throughout the rest of Santos' team belie their pre-tournament billing as one of the favourites.
Morocco will have the chance to restore some pride by claiming a result from their final Group B game against Spain and will then head home disappointed not to have had more to show for two good displays in Russia, while Portugal took a huge step towards the last 16.
Khalid Boutaib headed wide as Morocco began the match on the front foot but they were undone by the irrepressible Ronaldo before they could find their stride.
Morocco defender Manuel da Costa failed to track the Real Madrid star as Joao Moutinho swung in a corner and Ronaldo stooped to power a header over goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi and into the middle of the goal.
Their World Cup campaign hanging by a thread, Renard's side rallied and Medhi Benatia brought a good low save from Rui Patricio with a downward far-post header and he was soon tested again by Hakim Ziyech's raking drive from 20 yards.
Portugal was pinned back for long periods as Morocco attacked in waves without causing any major scares, and they might have extended their lead when Ronaldo played Goncalo Guedes into the box but Munir stood tall and made a one-handed save.
Ronaldo blazed over the crossbar when Bernardo Silva's mishit presented him with a clear shooting chance on the edge of the box early in the second half.
Patricio then made a stunning save to preserve Portugal's lead when Ziyech's free-kick was headed towards goal by Younes Belhanda, the goalkeeper diving to palm the ball away from danger after it bounced up at him awkwardly.
Ziyech whistled another set-piece just over the crossbar from 25 yards as the minutes ticked away and both Nordin Amrabat and Benatia fired over with better chances, but there was to be no last hurrah for Morocco as their hopes of making the knockout stage slipped out of reach.
Live Updates
Goals & Highlights!
GOAL! Ronaldo crashes in a header! What a start for Portugal!
Preamble
National Anthem time! Let's Go!
It's all about Ronaldo. Can CR7 deliver yet again for Portugal?
Iran currently top Group B at the start of the day. Just imagine if they did come late tonight! Morocco is facing the prospect of elimination with a defeat today. The Atlas Lions need a big performance in Moscow!
This is how we stand in Group B at the moment. Things are definitely going to change today!#beINRussia #beINFWC #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/VpXormcSjC — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 20, 2018
Team News! We have team news! As expected, CR7 starts (That was a given really). New Wolves keeper Rui Patrício starts as number one. As for Morocco, Khalid Boutaïb leads the line instead of Ayoub El Kaabi. Whilst Ajax star Hakim Ziyech will be the Atlas Lion's main goal threat today.
Hello! Welcome to the Live Updates for Portugal Vs Morocco. Cristiano Ronaldo takes the stage again, after serving up the performance of the first round in scoring a hat-trick in a pulsating 3-3 draw with Spain. Can the Real Madrid star do the business again for his country? Portugal will face a Morocco side who narrowly lost against Iran in their opening game, a defeat for Herve Renard's will all but eliminate the North African team.
Preview
Portugal will be looking to pick up their first victory of the World Cup when they take on Morocco at the Luzhniki stadium on Wednesday afternoon. The 2016 European Champions served up arguably the best game of the group stages with their dramatic 3-3 draw with Spain and will be hoping that Cristiano Ronaldo can inspire them to victory against the north African side.
You can watch the stream of the match from the Moscow Live & Exclusive on beIN SPORTS CONNECT.
Portugal showed glimpses of real quality on the break against Spain in their opening group game and will be quietly confident that they have the class to break down Morocco. Cristiano Ronaldo rightly gained all the plaudits in the game for his hat-trick including a stunning last-gasp freekick equaliser.
Aside from Ronaldo, PSG attacker Goncalo Guedes looked a real threat on the break. The 21-year old is likely to start again for his country, and providing he can keep his composure in front of goal he could be a good shout to find the back of the net on Wednesday.
Portugal Predicted Team
Patricio; Soares, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro; Carvalho, Moutinho, Mario; B.Silva, Guedes; Ronaldo
How to watch Online- beIN SPORTS CONNECT
TV Channel- MAX HD3
Kick-off- 15:00
Stadium- Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
As for Morocco, they are facing the grim prospect of being eliminated after just their second group game should result fail to go their way by the end of the day. The Atlas Lions know full well that they will now need to pull off two mammoth World Cup upsets against Portugal & Spain if they are to have any chance of making the round of 16.
After an injury-time own goal against Iran, Morocco will have to pick themselves up and rally in time for the game, and Herve Renard’s side can still draw some positives from the defeat.
Central defender Medhi Benatia looked impressive against Iran, and the experience of the Juventus man is going to be crucial if Morocco is to get their World Cup back on track. Further forward, Hakim Ziyech will be the biggest goal threat for the Atlas Lions, and the Ajax forward will be relishing facing the ageing centre-backs, Pepe & Jose Fonte.
Morocco Predicted Team
Munir; S.Amrabat, Benatia, Saiss, Achraf; El Ahmadi; Belhanda, Harit, Boussoufa, Ziyech; El Kaabi
It promises to be an interesting match as Portugal take on Morocco at the Luzhniki stadium. You can watch all the action Live & Exclusive on MAX HD3 & beIN SPORTS CONNECT.
