Portugal’s World Cup campaign continued yesterday with a 1-0 win over Morocco, eliminating their opponents in the process and giving themselves a great chance of reaching the last 16. Once again talisman Cristiano Ronaldo was the difference, scoring the only the goal in the 4th minute with a powerful header.

However, it was a far cry from his man of the match display against Spain, and his below par level of performance was shared by the majority of his team-mates on the day. Picking a standout player is a difficult task, but ultimately Seleção fans can point to a rock-solid showing between the sticks from their number one goalkeeper Rui Patrício.

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,
• 2018 FIFA World Cup,
• Cristiano Ronaldo
• Rui Patricio
• 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.

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.