Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup dream ended in nightmares as Portugal crashed out at the hands of Morocco.
The 37-year-old was again relegated to the bench for the quarter final, having been dropped for the thumping win over Switzerland in the round previous. However, while on that occasion Goncalo Ramos stepped up in his absence, Portugal struggled to create any chances of note without the veteran striker on the pitch.
Fernando Santos called upon Ronaldo shortly into the second half as they went in search of an equaliser following Youssef En-Nesyri’s first-half header. And he did have one chance to level the scores but saw his snapshot saved by the heroic Yassine Bounou in the Morocco goal.
While his Portugal team-mates fell to their knees following the full-time whistle, Ronaldo was first down the tunnel, with cameras showing him in floods of tears. Security guards were also forced to intervene as a pitch invader attempted to encounter Ronaldo as he made his way off the pitch.
The defeat will likely end his hopes of winning international football’s biggest prize. It also means that he will likely end his career having never scored in a knockout match at the World Cup.
His side came into the game as the strong favourites to secure their progression, particularly off the back of their 6-1 victory in the round of 16. Santos kept the same XI against the Atlas Lions, but it quickly became apparent that it would be a very different occasion.
And when the opening goal came, few could argue it wasn't deserved on the balance of play. Nevertheless, it was the result of a howler by Diogo Costa, allowing En-Nesyri a simple headed chance. Ronaldo was spotted reacting with incredulity on the bench as he awaited the chance to be his nation's hero again.
Portugal had chances in the closing stages, with Bonou saving brilliantly from Felix and Ronaldo, while Bruno Fernandes ' fizzing shot missed by a matter of inches. And then in the final seconds of the game, Pepe had a golden chance to take the tie into extra time but put his header agonisingly wide of the post.
As for Morocco, they become the first African stage to reach the final four of the World Cup and will fancy their chances having already beaten Belgium, Spain and Portugal in the tournament so far.
They will face the winner of England and France, who meet in the last quarter-final on Saturday evening. Morocco join Argentina and Croatia who will face off from the other side of the draw.
