Ronaldo on the bench, Morocco vs Portugal LIVE score, FIFA World Cup 2022 updates: Live streaming info; Ramos starts, Starting XI
Welcome to Sportster’s live blog of the Morocco vs Portugal FIFA World Cup 2022 quarter-final match at the Al Thumama Stadium.
Morocco vs Portugal starting XI!!
Morocco: Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Romain Saiss, Sofyan Amrabat, Selim Amallah, Azzedine Ounahi, Hakim Ziyech, Soufiane Boufal, Youssef En-Nesyri, Jawad Yamiq, Yahya Attiat-Allah
Portugal: Diogo Costa, Diogo Dalot, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Raphael Guerreiro, Bruno Fernandes, Otavio, Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix, Goncalo Ramos, Ruben Neves
PROVIDE
These are really pinch-me times for Morocco: A first-ever place in the quarter-finals of a World Cup – the first to take place in the Arab world, no less – and now a meeting with Portugal and its superstar -striker, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Well, maybe.
Because Ronaldo once again managed to steal the limelight in his inimitable way, even bumping Morocco’s historic run to the last eight ahead of Saturday’s narrative-laden game at the top of the agenda.
Predicted lineups
Morocco: Build now; Hakimi, Saiss, Aguerd, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
Portugal: Costa; Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro; B. Silva, Carvalho, Otavio; Fernandes, Ramos, Felix
Will he start or not? That is the big question being asked about Ronaldo after he was left out by Portugal coach Fernando Santos for the 6-1 win over Switzerland in the round of 16 on Tuesday.
Not only was the five-time World Player of the Year relegated to the bench, his replacement – 21-year-old Goncalo Ramos – scored a hat-trick to leave Santos with quite the selection dilemma against Morocco.
The announcement of Portugal’s squad around 90 minutes before the match is awaited with great anticipation as Ronaldo prepares to play in the quarter-finals of the World Cup for just the second time in his illustrious career. Portugal are at this stage for only the third time, perhaps surprisingly given the talent that has come from the country over the years.
As for Morocco, the country is in uncharted territory after becoming only the fourth African country to reach the quarter-finals at football’s biggest tournament, after Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010). None of them made it to the semi-finals. Morocco is also the only team from outside Europe or South America to make it to the last eight in Qatar.
His penalty shootout victory over Spain in the last 16 sparked wild celebrations not only among his many supporters in Qatar but also at home and also in the Moroccan diaspora of around 5 million people spread mostly across Europe, who united behind the World Cup series of the team nicknamed the “Atlas Lions.”
Morocco fans poured into the streets of European cities to celebrate the team’s passage to the quarter-finals, which came after Morocco advanced from a group containing second-placed Belgium and 2018 runner-up Croatia.
The team is coached by French-born Walid Regragui, and 14 of the 26 players in the squad are foreign-born – the highest percentage for any team at a World Cup that is playing for the first time in its 92 held in the Middle East. -year history.
The Arab world’s standard-bearer, Morocco, is also on merit in the quarter-finals. The team conceded just one goal – and that was an own goal against Canada – and appear to be so well organised, with a solid back four led by Achraf Hakimi, a dedicated midfield anchor in Sofyan Amrabat , two mercurial wingers in Hakim Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal, and a striker in Youssef En-Nesyri who occupies defenses with his relentless work rate.
Three key players may struggle to be fit enough to play against Portugal. Amrabat said he played with a back injury that required pain-killing injections in the game against Spain, during which captain Romain Saiss finished the game with his leg bandaged after treatment and fellow centre-back Nayef Aguerd limped off in tears with an apparent thigh injury .
Portugal appear to have no such problems, with Santos’ squad depth so impressive that he could afford to leave the likes of Ronaldo, Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves on the bench against Switzerland after starting every group game.
Santos said he picks his team according to the strengths and weaknesses of his opponent, but it would be a surprise if he makes any changes after a game that has propelled Portugal among the tournament favourites.
Even if he starts again as a substitute, Ronaldo – playing in what is likely to be his last World Cup – is expected to see some time on the pitch. Given the drama that constantly surrounds him, he’s sure to be a talking point no matter what happens.
-AP
When and where to watch
When will the quarter final match between Morocco and Portugal kick off?
The quarter-final between Morocco and Portugal will kick off at 20:30 IST, December 10.
Where will the quarter-final between Morocco and Portugal kick off?
The quarter-final between Morocco and Portugal will kick off at the Al Thumama Stadium.
Where can you watch Morocco vs Portugal quarter final match in India?
The quarter-final match between Morocco and Portugal will be broadcast live on Sports18 and Sports18 HD. On Android as well as iOS, the 2022 FIFA World Cup will be streamed live on JioCinema.
Where can you watch Morocco vs Portugal quarter final outside India?
Argentina – Live Stream: Telemundo
United States – TV: FOX, Telemundo; Live Stream: fuboTV, Fox Sports App, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo
Canada – TV: CTV, TSN; Live Stream: fuboTV, TSN app
United Kingdom – TV: BBC One; Live stream: BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website
Australia – TV: SBS; Live Stream: SBS On Demand
New Zealand – TV: Sky Sports; Live stream: Sky Sport
Malaysia – TV: RTM, Astro; Live Stream: Astro Go
Singapore – TV: Mediacorp Channel 5; Live Stream: StarHub TV+, IPTV, Singtel TV
Hong Kong – TV: BeIN Sports, ITV; Live stream: Now TV, ViuTV
Nigeria – SuperSport and Showmax Pro.
