Morocco will be looking for another upset at the World Cup when they take on Portugal in the quarter-finals at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha on Saturday evening.
The African outfit will come into this match looking to continue their good run of form after they beat Spain 3-0 in a penalty shootout. It was an excellent advertisement to playing to their strengths as they denied the Spaniards and meaningful opportunities for clear chances on goal.
Portugal will be high in confidence after they cruised into the quarter-finals following their commanding 6-1 victory over Switzerland.
A hat-trick by Gonçalo Ramos – who started in place of Cristiano Ronaldo – and goals by Pepe, Raphaël Guerreiro and Rafael Leão
Portugal boss Fernando Santos on Cristiano Ronaldo: “That is still something that has to be defined.
“I have a very close relationship with him – I always have, I have known him since he was 19 years old.
“This relationship only develops, Ronaldo and I never interpret the human aspect of that of manager and player (in relation to) what we have to do during the match.
“I will always consider in my role that he is an important player to have in the team.
“Ronaldo will definitely (be involved), all the players on the bench can be used, if they are not in the starting line-up they can play later.
“It is important to look at the example of this player’s history, he is one of the best players in the world at playing professionally, being captain – all we have to do is think about this team collectively.”
Morocco and Portugal have met twice before at the World Cup, with both teams collecting one win each after Morocco secured a 3-1 win in 1986 followed by Portugal’s narrow 1-0 win in 2018.
Walid Regragui will have his entire squad fit and ready for this encounter with no injuries or suspensions, while Fernando Santos is expected to be without the services of Nuno Mendes and Danilo Pereira due to their respective injuries.
Although Achraf Hakimi is yet to score his first goal at the World Cup, he has been an influential figure for Morocco after helping them reach the quarter-finals for the first time.
Gonçalo Ramos will be looking to build on his previous performance for Portugal after he bagged a hat-trick in their thrashing of Switzerland in Lusail.
Morocco’s World Cup Form:
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Portugal’s World Cup Form:
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