PortuGOAL

Portugal player ratings versus Morocco

For the second straight match Portugal rode their luck as an early Cristiano Ronaldo goal proved decisive in a barely deserved win against Morocco. Only a rock-solid display of goalkeeping by Rui Patricio kept the Africans at bay, and Fernando Santos knows his team has to improve vastly if they are to make an impact at this tournament.

It wasn’t all bad news. Goalkeeper Rui Patricio continues to prove he has the temperament and the talent for the big occasion, centre-backs Pepe and José Fonte looked more like the impenetrable partnership they were at Euro 2016, and Cristiano Ronaldo added another victim to the endless list of teams powerless to prevent him from scoring.

However, it was a forgettable match for left-back Raphael Guerreiro and talented midfield stars Bernardo Silva, João Mário and Bruno Fernandes, who have all succumbed to big stage nerves so far at Russia 2018. Read the ratings for the Seleção players.

Portugal edge closer to qualification with nervy 1-0 victory over Morocco

Portugal 1-0 Morocco

An early Cristiano Ronaldo goal has placed Portugal on the brink of group stage qualification, as the Euro 2016 champions were made to sweat for a 1-0 victory over Morocco at the Luzhniki Stadium.

The Real Madrid star took his tally to four goals for the tournament with a well-executed diving header in the 4th minute, but it was Morocco who enjoyed the larger portion of possession and chances created throughout the encounter.

With Rui Patrício starring, the Selecção were able to hold onto their slender advantage come full-time, placing them top of Group B momentarily ahead of Spain's clash against Iran, as Morocco face a World Cup exit.

NogueiraSoccerSport (editing my previous starting 11 my previous comment) — REFORMATTED STARTING 11 (4-3-3) =============Patricio R Pereira====Fonte=====Pepe=====Guerrero =============William ======Moutinho=======Joao Mario B Silva========Ronaldo========Guedes...

NogueiraSoccerSport — First off going into this world cup, I realized that Portugal drew the hardest group in the tournament. It kind of reminded me of the group they had in 2014. Spain is obviously similar to Germany (world class team that Portugal always seems to fall short against). Morocco was similar to the USA, a h......

Tony — Will take the 3 points on a true grit. I knew the speed and pressing of Morocco would poise danger. What have we learned? 1) CBs and Def CMs (William) too slow, in particular def mid not giving cover to an aging CB line. What is missing is the versatility and motor of Danio (huge loss not ful......

Portugal-Morocco preview

Seleção aim to put one foot in the knockouts

After the captivating encounter versus their Iberian counterparts, Portugal now face a Morocco side desperate to register points on the board after their unfortunate loss to Iran

Prior to the results for each of these nations in Round One, this tie had been highly anticipated even before a ball had been kicked in Russia. Morocco, many people’s pick as a dark horse to cause a surprise, boast a host of technically gifted players who – under Hervé Renard – have blossomed into quite a formidable outfit.

Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, will be hoping his teammates can step up to the plate in a similar fashion to that of his own display on Friday night to ensure the European Champions have one foot in the last sixteen.

Adam — This was precisely the kind of match where we needed someone like Renato Sanches, with his power and dynamic runs through the midfield. It's a shame that Ancelotti and Bayern completely destroyed him......

Nick J — I agree about Moutinho, he wasn't effective and he's a little too old now. I certainly wouldn't start Joao Mario as he can be invisible. Rui Ricardo P. Pepe Dias Raph Bernardo William C. B Fernandes Guedes Andre Ronaldo...

Chris — Good points by everyone. I am surprised that few people have called attention to William and Bernardo. For me, they were standouts as the worst players on the pitxh against Spain because Fonte, Guedes and Moutinho were at least involved in plays. William made few if any tackles, hos passing led ......

PortuGOAL World Cup 2018 podcast: Santos to stick or twist?

A look back at Portugal’s thrilling opening match against Spain and a look forward to Game Two for the Seleção against Morocco on Wednesday, comprises the latest PortuGOAL podcast.

Matthew Marshall, Patrick Ribeiro and Tom Kundert discuss how the stunning 3-3 draw against the Spaniards may impact on the Seleção going forward in the tournament.

With the aid of questions sent in from listeners, we then speculate about whether Fernando Santos will stick to a similar line-up against the North Africans or ring the changes.

Nick J — I was hoping Santos would play Guedes left and Bruno Fernandes behind Ronaldo but he wants Guedes to play as a striker and use his goal-threat plus the intelligence/tactical awareness of Fernandes in midfield. Not sure it would work as well the other way round unless Ronaldo plays a straight number ......

SupremoGino — This has to be the moment to start Ruben Dias. Fonte is a huge liability and I can't see Santos letting things ride here after his joke of a performance verses Spain. The game against Morocco comes with a safety net - win, lose, or draw. So let's take advantage of this and hope for the best. No matt......

joe — Adrien Silva, Mario and Andre Silva should have played against Spain. Now there's not much point in point in making changes against Morroco who needs to win. Maybe some of the veterans like Fonte and Moutinho should be rested....

Portugal Man of the Match vs Spain: Cristiano Ronaldo

Throughout the World Cup, the day after each Seleção game, PortuGOAL will be focusing on the Portugal man-of-the-match. After an amazing opener against Spain, it was a tough choice... Jamie Farr reports.

Portugal’s World Cup campaign began in thrilling style last night with a 3-3 draw against Group B favourites Spain, a pulsating encounter that will live long in the memory. The Seleção’s team performance was far from perfect with a few inconsistent performers throughout, but PortuGOAL’s Man of the Match award can quite clearly go to only one player: once again the captain and talisman Cristiano Ronaldo stealing all of the headlines.

Danny DaSilva — Sorry, too many typos. I'm not illiterate. So, here it goes again. I'm not sure if the formula for determining "tied on points" is head-to-head, point differential, or something else, but I do know that if it's point differential, then Portugal sits in a better position. For Portugal is about to em......

Danny DaSilva — I'm not sure if the formula for determining "tied on points" is head-to-head, point differential, or something else, but I do know that if it's point differential, then Portugal sits in a better position. For Portugal is about to embark on a Morocco side still reeling from its shock loss, while Spai......

Danny DaSilva — If Portugal wins out its group by point differential, as so it did during qualification against Switzerland, and if Germany fail to secure first place in its group, then Portugal won't have to face "the big four" (Brazil, France, Germany, Spain) until the finals. In that case, a rematch with Spain w......

Portugal player ratings versus Spain

So much for the cagey opening encounter most were predicting. The all-Iberian clash was a thrilling encounter, with Cristiano Ronaldo further embellishing his legacy by producing a storming performance from start to finish.

Nevertheless, the euphoria surrounding Ronaldo’s masterclass and his late equaliser cannot mask the fact that Portugal were outplayed by Spain for most of the 90 minutes. Lots of hopes have been pinned on an exciting crop of new talent in the shape of Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and Goncalo Guedes, but all three struggled to make an impact. Read the ratings for the Seleção players.

Portugal snatch late point in 3-3 thriller against Spain in Sochi

Ronaldo to the rescue in World Cup opener

Cristiano Ronaldo produced a memorable hat-trick to earn Portugal a 3-3 draw at Fisht Stadium. Portugal’s talisman twice put the Seleção ahead, but saved the best for last with a first-class free kick in the dying minutes.

The match swung back and forth with three lead changes and included yet another Ronaldo hat-trick and possible goal of the tournament from Nacho. After two 1-0 results on Day Two of the World Cup the match provided the scintillating spectacle many ware anticipating.

Tony — Great result to get a point and CR7 was super! What have we learned? This team can play better, Santos is correct performance a 6, agree that we allowed Spain to impose their will against some of our players. There are no more excuses for these young players. Every time I have seen the likes of ......

joe — disappointing Portugal didn't deserve to get a point out of the game and they can't expect things to go like the Euro where they also started poorly and ended up winning it. Step up the intensity and atitude or be be home soon. Not even CR can save them....

mike — I have been pondering how we might set up vs morocco and wouldnt be suprised given the speed of their team to see a diamond mid vs flat 2. Also, u might see guedes move out on left and martins get a game on the right for both their pace, which means andre silva will play up top. The question would b......

Portugal-Spain preview

Seleção aim to begin World Cup campaign on the right foot

The two Iberian nations will clash on Friday in Sochi in what promises to be one of the most intriguing matches of the group stage at this World Cup.

Much has changed since the two fierce rivals last met in a major tournament at Euro 2012, ending in Spain overcoming its neighbour in a penalty shootout after a scoreless draw, on their way to their second successive European title, to go along with their then world title.

However, this time, it is Portugal going into the match with bragging rights having been crowned European champions two summers ago in France. But, the pain of that semi-final defeat at Euro 2012 should still loom large in the minds of players as well as fans alike on Friday night.

Danny DaSilva — Win win win win, f@!* everything else, win win win win, them Spanish ni@!*s aint shi!...

Justin/rochester — @Lusonotspanish I agree with you. That’s what Holland did to them in the euros that first game and it frustrated them. Teams that play Spain tend to automatically let them control the game and that’s horrible. It’s almost like playing a game with 9 men on the field right from the start when y......

LusoNotSpanish — Portugal should play the first 15minutes of the game the old fashion Portuguese style - slick passing attacking offense. They should unleash Bernardo, Guedes, and Ronaldo on them relentlessly. I assume Spain is expecting Portugal to park in he bus and play counter attacks. We should throw them off a......

PortuGOAL writers’ World Cup predictions

On the eve of the big kick-off of the world’s greatest sporting event, PortuGOAL writers give their tournament predictions. The answers to the questions below were given without conferring – we’re happy to make fools out of ourselves independently!

How far will Portugal go at World Cup 2018? Who will win the tournament? Which team will be the surprise package? Which player will be the MVP?

Read the thoughts of the PortuGOAL team below. Do you agree? Add your thoughts and predictions in the comments section below.

Andre/UK — I think Portugal will reach either the quarters or semis, if I had to make a prediction. Considering the talented squad we have, we should make at least the quarters, anything less would really be a disappointment. But I doubt we are strong enough defensively to get further than the semis. This is w......

justin/rochester — @neville I’d love to know why you think that. Perhaps you think that it’s not important for other players to score and be involved/take pressure away from Ronaldo. Oh I know, Ronaldo can just score all the goals!! It wouldn't be really nice if either Guedes or Bernardo Silva scored a goal every ......

justin/rochester — In order for Portugal to actually win this thing, a few things have to happen in my opinion. 1. Two players other than Ronaldo have to score consistently through out the tournament. You can pick either, Guedes, Bernardo or Andre whoever it does not matter. They CANNOT rely on Ronaldo at this tourna......

Portugal’s unwelcome World Cup distraction as Sporting chaos deepens

***"Once upon a time there was a team" - today's A Bola newspaper***

When Sporting goalkeeper Rui Patrício’s wife, Vera Ribeiro, stated publicly last week that masturbation might be a useful tool in helping World Cup squad members relax and focus, she was not – as far as we know – employing irony.

Ms Ribeiro is a sexologist and sexologists tend to put forward haphazard theories about these kinds of activities. In the case of her husband, concentration on the task ahead is beginning to prove increasingly tricky. Having finished the domestic season with a blooper in Funchal that helped Sporting finish just behind eternal rivals Benfica and thus outside the Champions League places allotted to Portugal, Patrício then took part in Sporting’s horrific cup final shambles against the previously unheralded Aves.

That game lost amongst the chaotic scenes of Sporting’s rapidly disintegrating season meant that the green and whites from Alvalade were about to run into one of the biggest crises in its long and illustrious history.

Steve Australia — I'm not sure how this situation gets resolved, but surely players walking out for nothing is not good for Sporting and for Portuguese football as a whole. If Sporting collapse, go bankrupt or cannot pay the bills then their academy suffers and potentially gets a cut in funding and personal, as the ......

David — Sporting should replace them with players from the youth team next year and sue them for breach of contract so they can't play anywhere until that case and all of it's appeals are resolved....

George — The players are winning this. BdC already stated he'd resign if the Sporting players promised to stay on. And then he opened his fat, stupid mouth again and said he'd stay on if he was re-elected. He can't win this, no matter how hard that massive ego of his forces him to try. From that perspective,......