'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Portugal survived Morocco scare to walk away with all three points thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's early goal that eventually proved to be enough.
The Atlas Lions were the better side for large spells of the match, especially in the second-half when they triggered a barrage of attacks and looked to score at any point. But Morocco lacked the cutting edge to kill the chances and that was their undoing eventually.
Portugal are on the brink of a last 16 spot at the FIFA World Cup 2018, but it wasn't a performance to write home about. There's plenty of kinks to iron out before they even think of making it big in Russia.
Here are the major talking points from the game:
#1 Ronaldo gets another record, but needs to be involved more
Cristiano Ronaldo added yet another feather to his cap when he headed home the fourth-minute opener. The Portuguese surpassed Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas in the all-time lists of international goalscorers with what was his 85th strike, now trailing only Iran's Ali Dei.
It's a terrific achievement and one that's difficult to emulate, but Ronaldo disappeared into obscurity after that. With Morocco keeping Portugal on the edge with high pressing, the Real Madrid ace cut a secluded figure upfront.
He didn't track back to help out in the defense, but when he was on the ball, he was roughed up by the Moroccan defense, who didn't afford him any space to exercise his usual attacking flair.
Like against Spain, Ronaldo was a beneficiary two more free-kick in dangerous areas, but like his record in the past, could only ram it into the wall.
His goal although proved to be enough today, but against bigger sides later in the tournament, needs to get more involved than just waiting for the service.
#2 Morocco shine, but profligacy cost them
Morocco were really unlucky to lose the opening game to Iran, as Aziz Bouhaddouz's inadvertent header into his own net did their undoing after fighting valiantly for 90 minutes. But if you look closely, they could muster little going forward even though the defense held on its own.
Today, the Atlas Lions breathed new life as they appeared lively in the attack and pushed Portugal on the backfoot, especially in dominating second-half.
They kept a lion's share of the possession and unleashed an avalanche of attack on the Portuguese bastion.
But Morocco were painfully profligate in the final third and saw enough chances to actually seal all three points. They attempted a staggering 15 shots, but only four were aimed on target!
Medhi Benatia must be kicking himself in the dressing room, for the Juventus midfielder alone, was a recipient of four to five clear-cut chances, but lacked the cutting edge to bury them.
Morocco did everything right today, if only they had the shooting boots on to turn the match around.
#3 Rui Patricio packs a punch
On paper, this appeared to be a lopsided contest with Portugal touted to sail through without hassle. But Morocco tore the script apart with an effervescent display and Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio had his hands full today as a result.
The 30-year old was never given a breather by the relentless Moroccans, but he stood tall and took to the challenge with aplomb.
He was always quick to react and handled the ball well. His best moment in the game was the stunning reflex save to deny Belhanda's header from almost point blank range.
Patricio was more active than many of the on-field players and turned in a match-of-the-match performance.
He recently completed a move to English side Wolverhampton Wanderers, and the fans would be beaming with joy after witnessing his performance today.
#4 Its time to start Andre Silva in place of Goncalo Guedes
Despite underwhelming in the opening game against Spain, Goncalo Guedes was given another crack in the starting XI by manager Fernando Santos today against Morocco. But yet again, he failed to inspire confidence.
Portugal spent the majority of the game after the interval in their own half, so there was little he could do. But even during their attacking spells, the Valencia hitman was virtually non-existent.
He was laid a beautiful cross by Ronaldo with only the goalkeeper to beat but struck straight into the palms of Munir.
Apart from that, Guedes didn't offer enough threat to trouble the Moroccan backline and was yet persisted with till the final whistle.
Andre Silva was waiting on the wings and perhaps could've brought more vim and vigor to the attack. He struck nine times in the qualifiers, and even if they are against admittedly weak sides, he linked up well with Ronaldo and oozed confidence in the final third.
After two disappointing outings, it's high time Santos drops Guedes and starts Silva alongside Ronaldo.
#5 Portugal won't make it far with this form
Portugal's chronic dependency on Cristiano Ronaldo will be their own undoing later on in the tournament. The Selecao rode his hattrick against Spain to salvage a point, while the rest of the bunch were well below their usual standard, maybe save for Bernardo Silva.
In today's game after Ronaldo struck the header, Portugal receded into mediocrity and were handed a battering by the Moroccans.
What should've been a nickel-and-dime affair turned out to be a close contest with Portugal hanging on to their lives till the last minute.
They let Morocco have the ball and invited pressure. Had it not been for the latter's wastefulness, this could've been a disaster for the European champions.
The Selecao were supposed to dominate but were instead put to the sword. There's no one else upfront apart from Ronaldo who can provide a genuine attacking outlet while the defense remains a mess.
Pepe and Rafael Guerrero shone, but Portugal has to be a cohesive unit to see off mightier sides, rather than rely on individual brilliance all the time to bail themselves out.
Unless this changes, they aren't making it too deep into the tournament.
What do you think about Portugal's win over Morocco? Sound off in the comments section below!
