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.

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.

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.

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.