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Morocco vs Portugal – 2022 World Cup quarter-final: Team news, possible lineups & prediction.
The World Cup title is getting closer to view as the field gets smaller, and on Saturday at Al Thumama Stadium, trailblazers Morocco will take on quarterfinal adversaries Portugal.
The Atlas Lions, who are now competing for a spot in the final four, defeated Spain before convincingly winning on penalties to advance to this round for the first time, while the Selecao completely changed their game to defeat Switzerland in the round of 16.
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Team News:
Cristiano Ronaldo, who has played for Portugal the most times (195) and is the all-time leading scorer with 118 goals, is now starting at the front after being demoted in front of the entire nation on Tuesday. Goncalo Ramos, a fresh Selecao star, takes his place.
Joao Cancelo was also not selected by Fernando Santos for the match against Switzerland in favour of Raphael Guerreiro at left back and Diogo Dalot at right back.
Otavio, another of his less-noticed additions, should continue in midfield, and William Carvalho is hoping to fend off Ruben Neves for the Portuguese engine room.
Nuno Mendes had previously been ruled out of the knockout rounds due to injury, and Danilo is still uncertain. Ruben Dias should team up with Pepe, age 39, at the centre of the back four in place of the latter, who will likely be absent.
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Morocco has fielded a largely consistent XI throughout the finals, in contrast to some team shuffles by Portugal.
Walid Regragui is concerned about Nayef Aguerd of West Ham United’s fitness more than any other essential piece in his well-oiled machine.
The always-present centre defender is in a race against time after being replaced by captain Romain Saiss with a strapping on his leg during the win over Spain. In addition, Sofyan Amrabat, who had a back issue, played through the discomfort.
However, if everyone is available, a team led by attacking trio Sofiane Boufal, Hakim Ziyech, and Youssef En-Nesyri will resemble the one that defeated La Roja. Both full-backs have also had injury problems in Qatar.
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Possible Lineup:
Morocco’s possible starting lineup:
Bounou; Hakimi, Saiss, Aguerd, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
Portugal’s possible starting lineup:
Costa; Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro; B. Silva, Carvalho, Otavio; Fernandes, Ramos, Felix
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Score prediction:
Yassine Bounou saved two penalties in the shootout against Spain, making him the hero, although he hasn’t been overused in open play. Only two teams have allowed fewer shots on goal than miserly Morocco at this year’s World Cup.
Portugal was relentless in an attack against the Swiss, but it was an offensive performance out of character for their tournament thus far. Portugal scored as many goals against Switzerland as they had totalled in the group stage.
Prediction: Morocco 1-1 Portugal (Portugal Wins With Penalty)