A fourth minute thumping header from Cristiano Ronaldo extinguished any hope of qualification for Tunisia from Group B of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Having lost their World Cup opener to Iran through an unfortunate own goal late into the game, Morocco needed at least a point to keep themselves in the running for a place in the last 16 but Ronaldo and Portugal weren’t having any of that as the Real Madrid man struck in the fourth minute to put Portugal ahead.
4' – GOAAAALLL!!! Cristiano Ronaldo is the name!!! What a thumping header! Make that 85 goals for the Real Madrid man.
He becomes the highest European goalscorer in the history of international football. #YourSportsMemo #SterlingBank #WorldCup
— ACLSports (@acl_sports) June 20, 2018
??RECORD! Cristiano Ronaldo becomes Europe's all-time top international scorer with 85 goals ??? pic.twitter.com/ulg92h1TKp
— UEFA Nations League (@UEFAEURO) June 20, 2018
Ronaldo was then released with a through pass after Morocco lost possession in midfield but his shot was just wide of Munir’s goal. From then on, Morocco did all the playing but the North Africans toiled in vain lacking the crucial final ball. Portugal on the other hand remained threatening each time they had the ball as Munir was forced into a reflex save off Guedes’ effort in the 39th minute.
39' – SAVE!!! Munir with a reflex save from Guedes after a good ball over the top from Ronaldo.
Just like against Spain, Portugal not controlling possession but always dangerous whenever they attack. #YourSportsMemo #SterlingBank #WorldCup
— ACLSports (@acl_sports) June 20, 2018
Morocco began the second half with even more intensity knowing they needed to get something from the game with their qualification hopes on the line, and Portugal’s Rui Patricio was soon forced into his first real save of the game.
56'- SAVE!!! Rui Patricio with a good save from Belhanda's header.
Morocco earn a freekick but it's well defended by Pepe. #YourSportsMemo #SterlingBank #WorldCup
— ACLSports (@acl_sports) June 20, 2018
Morocco continued to threaten with Ziyach and Amrabat on the right side of their attack and left of Portugal’s defence putting in dangerous crosses from time to time which were well dealt with by Pepe and Jose Fonte for Portugal.
With the clock winding down, Portugal decided to settle for a slim win and began to defend deep; thus inviting more pressure as Fonte threw himself at Ziyach’s strike in the first minute of added time. Another chance then fell to the Moroccan captain Medhi Benatia who failed to capitalise.
90+2' – MISS!!! Benatia with a glorious chance to draw Morocco level but he blasts it high#YourSportsMemo #SterlingBank #WorldCup
— ACLSports (@acl_sports) June 20, 2018
In the end, Ronaldo’s header proved just enough to take Portugal top of Group B and confirm Morocco’s elimination from the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Key stats:
? #MAR are the first team to be eliminated from the 2018 FIFA #WorldCup
? 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)#PORMAR pic.twitter.com/MGRirp9xnf
— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) June 20, 2018
Spain who played out an entertaining 3-3 draw with Portugal in their opening fixture will take on Iran later tonight as the race for qualification in Group B continues.
