Former Manchester City midfielder Nigel De Jong accused Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes of diving during Portugal's heartbreaking World Cup quarter-final defeat to Morocco on Saturday afternoon.
After thrashing Switzerland 6-1 in the last-16, Portugal entered their last-eight showdown with the Africans as overwhelming favourites, despite the latter having stunned Spain on penalties in the last round. However, striker Youssef En-Nesyri netted the only goal of the game, heading home just before half-time, to seal a 1-0 win for the Moroccans.
Portugal, unsurprisingly, threw everything at Morocco after the interval in the hope of keeping their World Cup adventure alive, but failed to source the equaliser they so richly craved. Prior to the break, however, they were appealing for a penalty when Fernandes went to ground inside the penalty area.
READ MORE: 'F*** them': Fernandes lashes out after Portugal loss
The United ace made out that he had felt contact over his shoulder from Morocco right-back Achraf Hakimi and went to ground. The referee immediately waved away Fernandes' appeals and VAR decided not to intervene and review the decision, such was the way the attacking midfielder had gone to ground.
Fernandes was furious with referee Facundo Tello's decision to wave away his claims. However, former City star De Jong felt the Reds star got what he deserved from the situation: nothing.
"No, nothing," De Jong told ITV Sport when asked if he believed Fernandes deserved anything from the referee. "You could see who was at the end of it and who is laying on the floor again. We all see back in UK watching the Premier League.
"Fernandes has a feeling of going to the ground in circumstances and situations like this. It was not enough to give it as a penalty especially in the moment of the game like that. The referee made a good call and the VAR made a great call."
Had Portugal have come out on top against Morocco, they would, of course, have set-up a semi-final showdown with France. The 2018 World Cup winners defeated England later in the day, winning 2-1 at the Al Bayt Stadium.
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