Unbeaten in the last five matches, Morocco became the first Arab country to make it to the quarter-finals this year.
If they beat Portugal, Morocco will become the first Arab and African nation to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Morocco and Portugal have played twice before, each registering a win.
Overview
Four years ago, Portugal lost to Uruguay in the round of 16, although the group stage game against Morocco was "probably the toughest match" the team has faced, Santos said earlier. Became only the fourth African nation to reach the quarter-finals of football's biggest tournament, after Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010). None of them reached the semi-finals.
Teams
Morocco
Morocco are also the only team from outside Europe or South America to make it to the last eight in Qatar. The team's penalty shootout victory over Spain in the last 16 sparked celebrations not only among Qatar and its many fans at home. Arab world standard bearers, Morocco are also in the quarter-finals on merit. The team has conceded just one goal - and that was an own goal against Canada - and is proving to be very well organised, with a strong back four anchored by Achraf Hakimi, a dedicated midfield. Two mercurial wingers in Sufiyan Amrabat, Hakim Ziyech. and a striker in Sofiane Boufal, and Youssef N Nesri, who dominates defenses with his relentless work rate.
Portugal
Portugal appear to have no injury problems, with Santos' squad depth so impressive that he can afford to leave the likes of Ronaldo, Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves on the bench against Switzerland as they start each group game. do Even if he is once again among the substitutes, Ronaldo - playing in what is likely to be his last World Cup - is expected to see some time on the field. Given the constant drama surrounding him, he's sure to be a talking point no matter what happens.
Face it
The record is tied between Morocco and Portugal. Two matches were played between the two in which Portugal and Morocco won one match each.
Key players
Although some of Morocco's key players are struggling to be fit enough to play against Portugal. Amarbat said he played with a back injury that required pain-relieving injections in the match against Spain, during which captain Romain Saiss finished the game with his leg bandaged after treatment, and teammates. Centre-back Naif Agward limped off with an apparent thigh injury. It would be foolish to bench CR7 for such an important match for Portugal.
No comments:
Post a Comment