Buoyant Portugal in way of Morocco’s history
Morocco head into Saturday's last-eight clash with Portugal knowing they are only one step away from making history as Africa's first World Cup semifinalists, but they face a buoyant opposition fresh from scoring six goals against Switzerland.
Spain struggled to create any clear-cut chances against Morocco in a game that the dogged North Africans won on penalties, but Portugal will be a different proposition after a fluid attacking display against the Swiss.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos took the big decision to drop Cristiano Ronaldo to the bench, but it paid dividends as the superstar striker's replacement Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick in the 6-1 rout.
Portugal are in the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2006, when they beat England on penalties before being knocked out by France.
The 21-year-old Ramos stole the headlines, while Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and Joao Felix all impressed.
Coach Santos said Ronaldo did have reservations about being benched against Switzerland but he never threatened to leave the team's camp, as it was reported in the media.
Portugal played Morocco at the 2018 World Cup when Ronaldo scored in a 1-0 win and Santos said he remembered how they had to "suffer" to seal victory.
Santos, who said Ronaldo showed his commitment to the team by celebrating Portugal's goals and leading the players to applaud the fans, also hinted that he might bring the 37-year-old back into the team to face Morocco on Saturday, saying the north African side would provide a different challenge from Switzerland.
"They are an extremely well-organised team with high quality and potential, and many players at Chelsea, PSG, Bayern," he said.
"This [Morocco] is a very strong team, even in offensive positions. To think this is going to be an easy match for Portugal, it won't be," Santos added.
Walid Regragui's Moroccans are in uncharted territory as there has still never been a country from outside Europe or South America in a World Cup final, but Morocco want to put that right.
"We have already achieved great things but we feel it's not enough, we want to go further," Regragui told a news conference on Friday. Morocco have issues to deal with as key defender Nayef Aguerd remains a doubt for Saturday's game after a hamstring injury and other key players, like skipper Romain Saiss and midfield workhorse Sofyan Amrabat, also carrying injuries.
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