Ronaldo benched again as Portugal face Morocco in World Cup quarters

Sport

Published: 2022-12-10 17:29

Last Updated: 2024-04-24 19:19


Ronaldo benched again as Portugal face Morocco in World Cup quarters
Ronaldo benched again as Portugal face Morocco in World Cup quarters

Cristiano Ronaldo starts on the bench once more in Portugal's World Cup quarter-final clash against Morocco on Saturday.

Coach Fernando Santos dropped the five-time Ballon d'Or winner for the last 16 win over Switzerland, and maintained a similar line-up against the North Africans.

Goncalo Ramos, who scored a hat-trick in the 6-1 victory, leads the line again, with support from Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Joao Felix.

Ruben Neves replaces William Carvalho in defensive midfield for Santos's only change, while Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo also remains on the bench with Ronaldo.

Morocco has been forced into two changes in defense, with Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui both unable to play because of injury problems.

Jawad El Yamiq steps in at center-back in place of the West Ham defender while Yahya Attiat-Allah plays at left-back in place of the Bayern Munich man.