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Victor Caivano

Ronaldo-inspired Portugal prevail as Morocco become the first side dumped out of World Cup

The result leaves the Portuguese top of the group, though Iran and Spain, who play later, both have a game in hand.

RONALDO SCORED HIS 85th international goal, as Portugal beat Morocco 1-0 at the World Cup today.

The result means Morocco are the first side to be officially dumped out of the World Cup โ€” though they will be joined by Egypt later today if Saudi Arabia fail to beat Uruguay.

The win leaves Portugal top of the group, though Iran and Spain, who play later, both have a game in hand.

Morocco coach Herve Renard opted for a back four, with Manuel Da Costa and Nabil Dirar coming into the side, to provide added protection against the โ€œabsolutely exceptionalโ€ Ronaldo after his hat-trick against Spain.

But his plans were torn apart within minutes at the Luzhniki Stadium as Ronaldo wriggled free of the imposing Da Costa to bury an unstoppable header past a helpless Monir El Kajoui.

It was Ronaldoโ€™s fourth goal of the tournament, more than his combined tally at three previous finals, and left him trailing just Iranโ€™s Ali Daei (109) on the list of top international goalscorers.

The Real Madrid forward threatened a second soon after, swivelling on the edge of the area and scuffing just wide after a powerful run from left-back Raphael Guerreiro.

Mehdi Benatia forced a smart low save from Rui Patricio at a corner for Morocco, before Hakim Ziyach skipped his way into the Portugal area, his goal-bound effort blocked by an outstretched leg.

Joao Moutinho then nipped in ahead of Mbark Boussoufa to get a vital clearing touch in the six-yard box as Morocco consistently targeted the right side of the Portuguese defence.

- Moroccan penalty appeals -

A crude lunge from Benatia on Ronaldo left the Portugal skipper writhing around in pain, while Morocco felt aggrieved when Nordin Amrabat was hauled down by Guerreiro as he muscled his way into the area.

Khalid Boutaib was flattened by Jose Fonte in an aerial challenge that again had the Moroccans up in arms, with Renard warned for gesturing for the video assistant referee.

Morocco goalkeeper El Kajoui kept his side in the game when he stuck out a strong left palm to repel a Goncalo Guedes effort following Ronaldoโ€™s lofted pass over the top.

Ronaldo blazed over from 15 yards after a quick free-kick caught Morocco out, Guedesโ€™s miscued attempt rolling invitingly to the five-time world player of the year.

Morocco continued to carve out opportunities as Patricio clung on well to a curling Belhanda shot, and the Portugal keeper pulled off an even better save minutes later.

Another dangerous delivery from Ziyach was flicked on by Belhanda, with new Wolves signing Patricio flinging himself to his right to magnificently claw the ball to safety.

A further opening fell to Benatia, the Juventus defender neatly shifting the ball onto his left boot only to lash over the bar as Moroccoโ€™s frustrations mounted.

The lively Ziyach nipped past Fonte in the closing minutes but found Pepe standing in his way, with Benatia hammering over one final chance to seal Moroccoโ€™s fate.

Portugal will meet Iran in their final group game on 25 June, with Morocco set to bow out after their match against Spain in Kaliningrad.

Additional reporting by AFP

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    Mute Tamagotchi
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    Apr 15th 2018, 6:27 PM

    Iโ€™m sure Swedenโ€™s current strikers who got them there are delighted.

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    Mute Professional Chef
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    Apr 15th 2018, 6:28 PM

    Just when you thought he couldnโ€™t become more unlikeable,

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    Mute Caoimhin O'Murchadha
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    Apr 15th 2018, 6:44 PM

    Disrespectful to his fellow pros and arrogance beyond belief!

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    Mute Mike
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    Apr 15th 2018, 6:46 PM

    @Caoimhin Oโ€™Murchadha: Weโ€™re all just speculating. Whatโ€™s the view in Sweden I wonder?

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    Mute Caoimhin O'Murchadha
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    Apr 15th 2018, 7:04 PM

    @Mike: No matter what way you look at it Mike heโ€™s taking a seat on the plane that he didnโ€™t earn, no Swedish player is going to call him out over it though because he has legendary status over there, he was a fantastic player for them over the years but this is unfair.

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    Mute james heffernan
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    Apr 15th 2018, 11:08 PM

    @Mike: Studying abroad and have met a lot of swedes and they would all welcome him back. Heโ€™s a hero in their eyes, the greatest ever swede.

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    Mute Gary Dunne
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    Apr 16th 2018, 11:09 AM

    @Caoimhin Oโ€™Murchadha: Any player in the squad earns their place. Heโ€™ll hardly be the only player to not feature regularly or at all in qualifying to be in a World Cup squad.

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    Mute David Linehan
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    Apr 15th 2018, 7:00 PM

    Theyโ€™ve qualified purely down to the fact that he wasnโ€™t there. Theyโ€™re a team without him.

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    Mute al
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    Apr 15th 2018, 8:32 PM

    Iโ€™d never wish an injury on any sports player, but I wouldnโ€™t be surprised if a few of the Swedish strikers might be getting a few voodoo dolls. Absolute awful behaviour from Zlatan and from the coaching staff if they allow him.

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    Mute Tony Mcgrath
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    Apr 15th 2018, 8:08 PM

    My guess he wonโ€™t be picked

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    Mute Sloop John G
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    Apr 16th 2018, 9:44 AM

    Must be a slow news day. This article was first posted at 6.15pm yesterday and the article about Man Unitedโ€™s loss to West Brom was posted at 5.50pm yet these are the top 2 stories on 42 this morning having been re-posted. Bad journalism. You need to do better.

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