Portugal vs Morocco: Ronaldo Benched Again As Coach Santos Decides Not To Change

• Cristiano Ronaldo sits on the bench again as Portugal take on Morocco in a quarter-final clash at the FIFA World Cup
• Having made bold selections in their 6-1 win over Switzerland, coach Fernando Santos is sticking with the same pattern
• Joao Cancelo will also start from the bench, favouring Raphael Guerreiro and Diogo Dalot in the full-back positions

Portugal captain Cristiano will start from the bench when the Selecao file out against the Atlas Lions of Morocco in a quarter-final clash of the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

Coach Fernando Santos made a number of bold selection calls during their second-round tie against Switzerland, and they won the game 6-1.

Goncalo Ramos took centre stage with a hat trick in the encounter, and now the coach seems to have decided to start the forward again, leaving CR7 on the bench.

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Several sources had claimed Ronaldo threatened to leave the squad after being dropped against the Swiss, but both Portugal and the striker have denied the allegations.

Also, the manager has decided to leave Joao Cancelo out, favouring Raphael Guerreiro and Diogo Dalot in the full-back positions with Nuno Mendes injured.

Standard reports that Otavio returned from a knock and continues in central midfield, with Ruben Neves beating William Carvalho to start.

As for Morocco, Walid Regragui’s storming success has been partly down to a very settled line-up and approach.

Portugal XI (4-2-3-1):

Costa; Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro; Neves, Otavio; Silva, Fernandes, Felix; Ramos.

Morocco XI (4-3-3):

Bono; Hakimi, El Yamiq, Saiss, Attiyat Allah; Amrabat, Amallah, Ounahi; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal.

Odion Ighalo sends warning to Portugal over Morocco

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Sports Brief earlier reported that Super Eagles forward Odion Ighalo has suggested that it is possible for Morocco to pull strings of surprises to beat Portugal in the quarter-final of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The Atlas Lions became the fourth African team to reach the last eight of the World Cup after Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010).

And Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia striker Odion Ighalo believes nothing is impossible but admitted that it will be a herculean task for the North Africans.