Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the highest scorer for a European international team as he scores the only goal of the game and hand Portugal a 1-0 win in their World Cup Group B game with Morocco in Moscow.
Ronaldo opened the scoring after just four minutes – just as he did against Spain in Sochi – when he met a Joao Moutinho cross and powered a header past Morocco goalkeeper Monir El Kajoui.
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The landmark goal – his fourth at Russia 2018 – saw Ronaldo become Europes all-time leading international scorer on 85 goals, one ahead of Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas. Ronaldo now only has Irans Ali Daei ahead of him in the all-time international list on 109.
The goal didnt silence the Moroccan boo boys in attendance at Luzhniki, and the Portugal skipper also had to deal with attentions of Morocco counterpart Mehdi Benatia, who twice went in late on the striker, escaping with a booking.
Portugal had had a strong penalty shout on 25 minutes when they adjudged Raphael Guerreiro had dragged down by Noureddine Amrabat in the box. The Portugal defender had tugged at the Moroccans shirt, but replays showed Amrabat he was equally culpable.
Morocco manager Herve Renard got a subsequent ticking off for making the TV sign to signal the VAR should be consulted, a gesture which FIFA are clamping down on at Russia 2018.
Morocco almost leveled 10 minutes into the second half, but a fantastic save at full stretch by Rui Patricio denied a header from Younes Belhanda. Morocco enjoyed long spells of possession and continued to press, but failed to find the breakthrough they needed.
Portugal claimed their first World Cup win in Russia and moving to the top of the group on four points from two games. Morocco remain bottom with no points following their opening game defeat to Iran, who meet Spain later on Wednesday in Kazan.
Ronaldo made it a successful return to Luzhniki Stadium, the venue for his 2008 Champions League win with Manchester United a decade ago. The victory may have the Real Madrid winger dreaming of again getting his hands on silverware in Russia.
Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the highest scorer for a European international team as he scores the only goal of the game and hand Portugal a 1-0 win in their World Cup Group B game with Morocco in Moscow.
Ronaldo opened the scoring after just four minutes – just as he did against Spain in Sochi – when he met a Joao Moutinho cross and powered a header past Morocco goalkeeper Monir El Kajoui.
Read more
The landmark goal – his fourth at Russia 2018 – saw Ronaldo become Europes all-time leading international scorer on 85 goals, one ahead of Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas. Ronaldo now only has Irans Ali Daei ahead of him in the all-time international list on 109.
The goal didnt silence the Moroccan boo boys in attendance at Luzhniki, and the Portugal skipper also had to deal with attentions of Morocco counterpart Mehdi Benatia, who twice went in late on the striker, escaping with a booking.
Portugal had had a strong penalty shout on 25 minutes when they adjudged Raphael Guerreiro had dragged down by Noureddine Amrabat in the box. The Portugal defender had tugged at the Moroccans shirt, but replays showed Amrabat he was equally culpable.
Morocco manager Herve Renard got a subsequent ticking off for making the TV sign to signal the VAR should be consulted, a gesture which FIFA are clamping down on at Russia 2018.
Morocco almost leveled 10 minutes into the second half, but a fantastic save at full stretch by Rui Patricio denied a header from Younes Belhanda. Morocco enjoyed long spells of possession and continued to press, but failed to find the breakthrough they needed.
Portugal claimed their first World Cup win in Russia and moving to the top of the group on four points from two games. Morocco remain bottom with no points following their opening game defeat to Iran, who meet Spain later on Wednesday in Kazan.
Ronaldo made it a successful return to Luzhniki Stadium, the venue for his 2008 Champions League win with Manchester United a decade ago. The victory may have the Real Madrid winger dreaming of again getting his hands on silverware in Russia.