World Cup 2022: Will Ronaldo-Less Portugal Roll Against Morocco?

Portugal vs Morocco

Many will point to Morocco beating Spain in a penalty shootout as the most surprising result of the World Cup 2022 round of 16.

But there’s a strong argument to be made for Portugal’s 6-1 pounding of Switzerland, with a hat-trick from youngster Goncalo Ramos, who shockingly started ahead of superstar and captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

After their surprising round of 16 results, the two countries now collide in the quarter-finals for a spot in the final four.

The World Cup 2022 odds will have the Portuguese favoured as their attack looked even more dangerous without Ronaldo.

However, Morocco have been the stingiest defence thus far in Qatar as they have yet to concede a single goal from an opposing player all tournament.

Talking Points

Portugal still pretty good sans Ronaldo

Fernando Santos shocked the world when he dropped a healthy Cristiano Ronaldo for their round of 16 match against Switzerland. This drastic move came after Santos criticised Ronaldo’s reaction to being taken off against South Korea.

Santos instead started 21-year-old Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos up front, and that move proved to be a masterstroke. Ramos scored the team’s opening goal en route to a famous hat-trick as he led Portugal’s 6-1 rout of the Swiss.

Aside from dropping Ronaldo, Santos also made the surprising move not to start Joao Cancelo, opting instead for Raphael Guerreiro at left-back. And that move also worked out brilliantly as the Dortmund defender scored a goal and set up another.

Bruno Fernandes also continued his excellent tournament with another assist, pushing his tally to two goals and three assists in three games.

After such a dominant performance against Switzerland, it would not be a surprise if Santos decided to stick with the same starting lineup against Morocco, with both Ronaldo and Cancelo once again on the bench.

Santos has been criticised in the past for his conservative tactics, especially in major competitions, but his Portugal side has been much more positive in Qatar. And he is likely to continue with that attacking approach against Morocco, who will be content to sit deep and defend.

Morocco dealing with injuries in defence

Morocco have made it to the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history after beating Spain in a penalty shootout.

As it has been during this entire tournament, Morocco’s defence was immense as they held the Spanish to just one shot on target in 13 total shots despite 77 per cent possession.

The Atlas Lions have now kept three clean sheets through four World Cup games, with the only goal they’ve conceded coming from a Nayef Aguerd own goal against Canada.

However, Aguerd had to be subbed off against Spain with an apparent groin injury and is a doubt to play. Captain Romain Saiss similarly went off against Spain and his status is also uncertain.

With both of their starting centre-backs compromised physically and their two full-backs – Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazroaui already playing with knocks – it will be a major challenge for the Moroccans to maintain their elite level of defensive solidity that they’ve shown throughout the tournament.

Meanwhile, Morocco will be hoping for a much better showing from their main man in attack, Hakim Ziyech. After impressive performances against Belgium and Canada, the Chelsea winger was quiet against Spain as he was held without a shot for the first time in the tournament.

History

Portugal and Morocco have met two times previously, both times also coming in the World Cup. Morocco won their first meeting in the 1986 group stage 3-1, while Portugal prevailed in the second match in the 2018 group stage 1-0 thanks to an early Ronaldo goal.

Morocco are looking to make history as the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals. All three African teams to reach the quarter-finals (Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010) lost.

As for Portugal, they are a perfect 2-0 in the World Cup quarters. They beat DPR Korea 5-3 in 1966, then topped England in a penalty shootout in 2006.

Betting Tip 

SBOTOP odds have Portugal priced as significant 1.68 favourites to beat Morocco, who have 5.60 odds of winning. A draw is 3.40.

Morocco have done a magnificent job in getting this far in World Cup 2022, and they’ve done so on the back of their terrific defence.

But with their backline banged up, it’s hard to see them keeping out a Selecao side with so many weapons even with Ronaldo out of the side. Look for Portugal to progress to the semi-finals with another convincing win.

 

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