Morocco eyeing more history against Portugal

by Staff Reporter

Friday Dec 09, 2022. 11:11

Morocco will be aiming to break new ground when they lock horns with Portugal in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 5pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

The Atlas Lions reached the last eight for the first time in their history when they famously eliminated Spain in the last 16 on Tuesday, becoming the fourth African team to achieve the feat.

Walid Regragui’s side beat La Furia Roja 3-0 on penalties following a 0-0 draw after extra-time, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou denying from Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets in the shootout.

The North Africans won Group F with an unbeaten record and have conceded just one goal in their run to the quarter-finals – their best showing in six appearances at the global showpiece.

Regragui paid tribute to the fans for the tremendous backing his squad has received during the tournament, insisting Morocco would not have gotten this far without their support.

“I think it is impossible you do that without these fans. They are coming to the hotel, wanting tickets, a lot of fans came to Qatar to support the team, from America, from Europe and Morocco,” he said.

“They love the country and what I can tell them is we have done nothing. I need them for the quarter-finals but I am very proud of my fans and of my people.”

The Selecao gave the perfect response to their surprise 2-1 defeat to South Korea in the final round of the group stages by thrashing Switzerland 6-1 in the round of 16.

Cristiano Ronaldo was dropped for the game against the Swiss and his replacement, Goncalo Ramos, inspired Fernando Santos’ team to victory with a hat-trick.

Reports in Portugal have claimed that Ronaldo threatened to walk out on his team-mates in Qatar after learning he only made the bench for the game, although the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has moved to quash the rumours.

“News released this Thursday reports that Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to leave the national team during a conversation with Fernando Santos, national coach,” a statement from the FPF read.

“The FPF clarifies that at no time did the captain of the national team, Cristiano Ronaldo, threaten to leave the national team during the internship in Qatar.

“Cristiano Ronaldo builds up a unique track record every day at the service of the national team and the country, which must be respected and which attests to the unquestionable degree of commitment to the national team.”