MX23RW : Thursday, December 15 18:34:41| >> :120:25851:25851:
[monks data]
Dec 10, 2022 at 3pm UK at Al Thumama Stadium
Morocco
1 - 0
Portugal
En-Nesyri (42')
Dari (70')
Cheddira (90+3'), Cheddira (90+3')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Vitinha (87')

How Portugal could line up against Morocco

How Portugal could line up against Morocco
© Reuters
Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Portugal could line up for Saturday's World Cup quarter-final clash with Morocco.

Having surged into the World Cup quarter-finals by fielding an exciting new-look attack, Portugal continue their Qatar 2022 campaign at Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday.

The Selecao now tackle the Atlas Lions of Morocco, and coach Fernando Santos could well retain the side which started their 6-1 thrashing of Switzerland in midweek. That, of course, would mean captain and all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo is again relegated to a late cameo from the bench.

His replacement on Tuesday night was prolific Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos, who rattled in a sublime hat-trick on his full international debut and now starts up front instead.

Understandably, given the hype surrounding their celebrated skipper's demotion to mere bit-part player, Joao Cancelo's omission against the Swiss was less remarked upon, but the Manchester City star may find himself joining Ronaldo on the sidelines again.

Santos favoured Raphael Guerreiro on the left side of a back four also featuring Diogo Dalot on the right flank, with Ruben Dias and gnarled veteran Pepe teaming up in the centre. Though Danilo stepped back into defence earlier in the finals, the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder remains an injury doubt.

Meanwhile, Ruben Neves battles it out with current incumbents Otavio and William Carvalho for a slot in central midfield, but the advanced roles of Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva are undisputed.

The mercurial Joao Felix completes Portugal's forward line, while Joao Mario and Milan winger Rafael Leao - Serie A's Player of the Season last term - offer Santos alternatives if events are not going to plan during the second half. One 'CR7' should also come into the equation then, too.

Portugal possible starting lineup: Costa; Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro; B. Silva, Neves, Otavio; Fernandes, Ramos, Felix

> Click here to see how Morocco could line up for this quarter-final clash

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How you voted: Morocco vs Portugal

Morocco
36.3%
Portugal
63.7%
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Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo pictured on the substitutes' bench before the match on December 7, 2022
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World Cup fixtures header 3
Saturday, December 17
 
3pm
Third-Place Playoff
Croatia
vs.
Morocco
Sunday, December 18
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