The youngsters of Portugal have carried Cristiano Ronaldo closer to glory, but the red wall that stands firm and ready for any attack, Morocco, holds the weight of Africa. Will the world witness Africa’s greatest feat courtesy of the Atlas Lions? Or will the Portuguese continue their pillage to the final?
To Win Match
Morocco 21/5 | Draw 12/5| Portugal 4/6
To Qualify
Morocco 23/10 | Portugal 3/10
Africa stand up! Only the fourth African nation to qualify for the quarter-finals, Morocco have set their name in the World Cup history books. While most of the favourite nations have qualified, the only underdog to put their name in the hat is the North African giants.
Morocco has seemingly cruised through a difficult Group F over 2018 silver medallists Croatia, former world number one Belgium, North American hopefuls Canada, followed by a beautiful victory over 2010 world champions Spain. Through their campaign, they have yet to concede a single goal from the opposition albeit an own goal in their 2-1 victory over Canada.
Morocco will face Portugal for the third-ever meeting with the previous two both coming at the World Cup. Morocco won the first in a group-stage clash in 1986 (3-1) before Portugal won 1-0 in Russia where they shared a group.
The Atlas Lions come into this match on a five-game unbeaten run at the World Cup (W2, D3); their longest-ever streak without defeat in the competition. Four of these games have come under head coach Walid Regragui (W2, D2) who becomes the first African manager to take charge of a World Cup quarter-final.
The Moroccans have had a pleasurable run, not just in terms of results but also avoiding injury and suspension. The star of the show against Spain, Yassine Bounou, has been the only absentee missing the 2-0 victory over Belgium, but made a speedy recovery, though there is a doubt for captain Romain Saiss who pulled up late in additional time.
Morocco is on the cusp of making history as a team from the African continent to progress to the semi-finals for the first time.
While Ronaldo may not feature in the starting lineup for Portugal, the European nation edge closer to signing off this football legend at the top of the pile. A crop of young budding talent has shown what they are capable of and can carry CR7, just as he carried the nation on his back for the last two decades.
This will be Portugal’s third quarter-final at the World Cup, while they have progressed in each of the previous two – 5-3 against then DPR Korea in 1966 and a 3-1 penalty shootout over England in 2006.
Portugal has always been considered just outside the “favourites” and this World Cup was no exception. Seleção das Quinas opened their account with an enthralling 3-2 victory over Ghana and backed that up with a 2-0 win over Uruguay, and when resting key players failed to keep a 100% record in Group H, losing 2-1 to South Korea. Finally, the Portuguese faced Switzerland in the round of 16 and really stamped their authority in this campaign with a resounding 6-1 win.
Like their current opposition, Portugal has been fairly lucky not to pick up numerous injuries with young left-back Nuno Mendes the only serious casualty of the campaign, and Danilo Pereira still sidelined with a broken rib for the last three fixtures. With the Portuguese favourites to progress here, key players Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias and Joao Felix need to be cautious in picking up another yellow card in fear of missing the semi-finals.
If it wasn’t already established by the eye test, Portugal has thrust itself into the limelight of favourites to go all the way with a commanding 6-1 victory.
Verdict: Portugal & Under 3.5 (20/21)
Given such an abundance of attacking talent, Portugal rarely has a problem with scoring – but protecting a lead is often another matter. When facing the best defensive side remaining in the quarter-finals, Morocco, it will be a true test of offense versus defence.
While it may be frowned upon, the statement ‘the truth hurts’ has never been as intrinsic as now – if Ronaldo starts for Portugal against Morocco, the Europeans will have a more difficult task on their hands, but if Fernando Santos puts his faith in the youth, victory is on the horizon.
