Morocco vs Portugal – Quarter-Final – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup
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THE FACTS
When is Morocco vs Portugal on and what time does it start? Morocco vs Portugal will take place on Saturday 10th December, 2022 – 15:00 (UK)
Where is Morocco vs Portugal taking place? Morocco vs Portugal will take place at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar
Where can I get tickets for Morocco vs Portugal? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Morocco vs Portugal
What channel is Morocco vs Portugal on in the UK? Morocco vs Portugal will be televised live on ITV
Where can I stream Morocco vs Portugal in the UK? Morocco vs Portugal can be streamed live on the ITV Hub
THE LOWDOWN
MOROCCO
- Morocco made history in the round of 16, beating former world champions Spain via a penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw, with Madrid-born Achraf Hakimi executing a successful Panenka penalty to seal victory.
- Captain Romain Saiss picked up an injury during the win over Spain, as did fellow centre-back Nayef Aguerd, but both finished the game and aren’t expected to miss this crucial game.
PORTUGAL
- Portugal made a huge statement against Switzerland in the round of 16 in regards to their World Cup credentials, winning 6-1 despite not starting Cristiano Ronaldo, with Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos scoring a hat-trick in his first World Cup start.
- Ronaldo has unsurprisingly dominated the headlines since being left out, but when taking into account Ramos’ performance and the result, it’s hard to see Fernando Santos not sticking with the same starting XI.
THE TEAM NEWS
MOROCCO
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Aguerd (Injured), Saiss (Injured)
PORTUGAL
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Costa; Dalot, Dias, Pepe, Guerreiro; B. Silva, Carvalho, Otavio; Fernandes, Ramos, Felix
UNAVAILABLE: Nuno Mendes (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Danilo Pereira (Injured)
THE KEY STATS
- Morocco and Portugal have only met twice previously, both in FIFA World Cup matches, with each nation claiming one win each. Morocco triumphed 3-1 in the group stage in 1986 and the Portuguese claimed a 1-0 victory in the group stage at Russia 2018
- This is only Morocco’s second time in the knockout stage. At the 1986 finals, they became the first African team to progress beyond the first round - they did so by finishing top of a group which also contained England, Poland and Portugal. Morocco’s tournament ended in the round of 16 when a late goal from Lothar Matthäus gave West Germany a 1-0 victory
- Morocco have become the fourth African nation to reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup – Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002), Ghana (2010) and Morocco (2022). Morocco are aiming to become the first African nation to reach the semi-finals
- Nine of the last 13 FIFA World Cup knockout stage matches involving African nations have gone into extra-time
- Each of the previous three FIFA World Cup quarter-finals matches involving African nations went into extra-time
- Morocco are unbeaten in their last five FIFA World Cup matches (W2 D3). This is their best unbeaten streak at the finals, replacing their previous best of four matches which they achieved across the 1970 and 1986 final competitions
- Morocco have kept three clean sheets in four matches at Qatar 2022 and of all the remaining teams they have the best defensive record with just one goal conceded
- Morocco are unbeaten in their previous three matches against European nations at Qatar 2022 (W1 D2), all without conceding a goal
- Morocco are unbeaten in their last nine international matches (W6 D3)
- Morocco have kept seven clean sheets in their last eight international matches
- Portugal are through to the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals for the third time. They were successful in both of their previous two quarter-final ties, firstly defeating Korea DPR 5-3 in 1966 and then edging out England on penalties in 2006
- Portugal have lost only two of their last ten FIFA World Cup matches (W5 D3)
- Portugal have not failed to score in their last ten FIFA World Cup matches. This is their longest sequence of successive games with a goal in the history of the tournament
- Only one of Portugal’s previous ten FIFA World Cup knockout stage matches has gone into extra-time. This was their 2006 quarter-final against England which the Portuguese eventually won on penalties after a goalless draw
- Portugal are unbeaten in their last five FIFA World Cup matches against African nations (W4 D1), since losing 3-1 against Morocco in 1986 in their first World Cup match against African opposition
- Against Switzerland, Portugal's Gonçalo Ramos scored the first hat-trick at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ and the 53rd overall
- Against Switzerland, Portugal's Gonçalo Ramos became the third youngest player to score a hat-trick in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage after Germany's Edmund Conen (19 years and 198 days) in 1934 and Brazil's Pelé (17 years and 244 days) in 1958
- Against Switzerland, Pepe (39 years and 283 days) became the second oldest player to score at the FIFA World Cup after Roger Milla (42 years and 39 days) v Russia 1994
- Cristiano Ronaldo needs one goal to equal Eusebio’s record of nine goals in World Cup matches for Portugal
THE PREDICTION
Morocco’s magnificent defensive form continues to set the foundations for their success in this World Cup and after shutting out Spain, Portugal’s formidable offensive faces their toughest challenge yet. No team has scored more goals across the World Cup so far than Portugal with only England netting as many. It cannot be understated the gruelling physical toll that the win over Spain would have taken on the Moroccan players, who competed for 120 minutes without the ball for most of the game. Whilst both Aguerd and Saiss should be fit to play once again, they are key centre-backs and it cannot be guaranteed that they will both be feeling 100% from a physical perspective. That, combined with Portugal’s relentless attacking resources and depth which they can call upon from the bench against a tiring opposition, makes backing Portugal to win the smart move here.
TIP: PORTUGAL TO WIN
