SECOND HALF
Morocco becomes the second African Team to exit the FIFA 2018 World Cup going on in Russia after Egypt fell by the wayside on Tuesday.
Both Morocco and Egypt lost their first two matches thereby leaving themselves with no chance to progress to the knock out stages.
Morocco lost their first match to Iran 0-1, and again lost their second match also 0-1 to Portugal.
Egypt too had lost their two match, first to Uruguay 0-1, and on Tuesday to Russia 1-3.
Morocco put up a spirit fight though, especially in the second half as they kept mounting pressure on the Portuguese side.
Several efforts, however, yielded no fruit as Portugal held their ground. Morocco will certainly have regrets after this one.
They had a lot of opportunities but the Atlas Lions could not manage to score a goal, undeniably a result of lacking a decisive striker within the squad.
Herve Renard’s 4-3-3 formation set them up well defensively.
But Portugal have the upper hand against Morocco with their victory in 1986 now an even further distant memory.
All the actions from the first stage, Group B match in Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, will be recapped with Ronaldo scoring once more.
Morocco have made an early exit from Russia 2018 despite playing very well against a tough Portugal side.
With Ronaldo’s goal, 26 of the 43 World Cup goals have now come from a set-piece situation: 60% (8 penalty, 7 corner, 10 free-kick, 1 throw in).
HOW THEY STAND:
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FIRST HALF
Cristiano Ronaldo kept the record flying on Wednesday during their encounter with Morocco when he drew the opener for Portugal at the fourth minute.
Ronaldo drove in the lone of the first half with a header that Portugal ahead in opening stages
Portugal maintained a steady balance and soaked up pressure from the Moroccans, who look with counter-attacks
Ronaldo’s strike is his 85th international goal, a record for a European player.
