Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Morocco
Match Time & Date:
10/12/2022
11:00 AM
Prediction: 0-0
Portugal
After shocking Spain in the World Cup last 16, Morocco will look to claim yet another major scalp at the showpiece tournament in Qatar when they face Portugal on Saturday afternoon. The African side are likely to rely on their rock-solid defence against A Selecao, meaning that yet another low-scoring affair is on the horizon. With no fresh injury worries to report, Walid Regragui is unlikely to make changes to the team that defeated La Roja on penalties.
Fernando Santos’ men, on the other hand, set up a meeting with Morocco by crushing Switzerland 6-1 in Lusail. Goncalo Ramos should keep his place up front after scoring a hat-trick against the Rossocrociati, meaning that Cristiano Ronaldo is once again likely to start from the bench. Both Nuno Mendes and Danilo Pereira are sidelined with injuries. Anyhow, a close encounter is on the cards as Morocco have already kept three clean sheets at the 2022 World Cup finals.
Highlighted Player (Cristiano Ronaldo):
Cristiano Ronaldo is considered one of the world’s best football players. The Portuguese ace was born on 5 February, 1985 in Funchal, Madeira and he played for the likes of Andorinha, Nacional and Sporting during his youth career. CR7 made his Sporting debut in Primeira Liga on 7 October, 2002, scoring two goals in a 3-0 win over Moreirense.
Manchester United scouts spotted him and one year later he joined the Old Trafford outfit. Ronaldo became the most expensive teenager in the history of the Premier League and he received the number 7 shirt. He quickly established himself as the team’s key player and it has to be noted that he won three consecutive Premier League trophies with the Red Devils (2006/2007, 2007/2008, 2008/2009). In 2008 he helped the Old Trafford outfit beat Chelsea in the Champions League final, scoring for Alex Ferguson’s troops in the regular time.
Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in 2009 and he helped the Spanish giants with two Champions League trophies. In 2016 he won the European Championship trophy with Portugal. The Real Madrid ace has two Golden Ball awards (2013, 2014).
Highlighted Team (Portugal):
Portugal started competing at the biggest stage in the 1930’s, but they had to wait for almost seventy years to establish themselves as a top side. The third place finish at the 1966 World Cup was a one-off result as the Selecao needed another 40 years to get past the group stage, reaching the semi-finals at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Portugal enjoyed more success on the continent, finishing third at the 1984, 2000 and 2012 European Championships, while losing in the final to Greece at the Euro 2004 that was held on home soil. Despite being able to count on one of world’s best ever footballers Cristiano Ronaldo, the Selecao have yet to lift a major trophy and they will not have too many opportunities to do so before the Real Madrid superstar retires.
Eusebio remains the most famous footballer to have played for Portugal, while Luis Figo, Simao Sabrosa, Pedro Pauleta, Rui Costa and Nani are also worth mention. The Selecao currently boast an impressive pool of world-class talent and it should not be long before they end the trophy drought.
Leicester
Chelsea
Arsenal
Nottingham Forest
Aston Villa
Crystal Palace 
Milan 
Juventus 
Man City
Tottenham
Celta Vigo 
Barcelona 
