Morocco made history, delivered another blow and now knocked Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo out of the World Cup

The World Cup does not respect noble titles. Neither singles (let’s call them crack) nor family members (read the selections). Long gone days when Germany, Belgium, Uruguay or Spain were deprived of their honours. Closer, Brazil with Neymar. Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal did not save themselves of the lack of submission circling the Persian Gulf.

But let’s not blame everything on Qatar 2022. Much of it corresponds to amazing Morocco, the main protagonist of the shots in this World Cup, with a coach (Walid Regragui) who took over three months ago and who has produced a dizzying performance. Nor is Portugal innocent, but let’s go by parts. Especially in the first half, the Moroccan team gave the Portuguese a lesson in collective play, full of important names who weighed little in the moment of truth.

Morocco showed again, against Spain (who also sacked from the competition), an admirable solidarity to defend, but this time he added more ease to the attack. In short, everyone defends and, when they can, many attack. When we say everyone defends, we mean everyone, including Hakim Ziech, one of the most talented, who when he had to follow Raphael Guerreiro’s brand had no problem remaining at right-back, in a line-up of five defenders at times. Tracksuit for the former Ajax and current Chelsea striker. Suit for everyone when it comes to shrinking and leaving Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and Joao Félix without spaces. Goncalo Ramos, after his hat-trick against Switzerland, has never been alone. Cristiano Ronaldo, shortly after, much less.

Like Ziyech, but on the other side, Sofiane Boufal scores again without detracting from her good technique. In reality, almost everyone (not so much the substitutes) shows good support, starting with goalkeeper Bono, left-handed, undaunted when it comes to playing. The bottom exit is natural, always with Ahraf Hakimi ready and excellent Sofyan Amrabat willing to facilitate everything. When Ziyech or Boufal accelerate, the meters are often thrilling.

He didn’t reach the rival goal far, but goalkeeper Diogo Costa gave him an excellent chance before the end of the first half when he missed a cross and allow El-Nesyri to beat him headlong.

Portugal has never found the return. At the start of the game, it came clearly with a header from Joao Félix that Bono sent for a corner. He had a few more, even in the shots of the Atlético de Madrid striker, but little in relation to the times of ball possession and the quality of his interpreters.

The technician Fernando Santos sent Cristiano Ronaldo onto the field five minutes into the second half, perhaps more to avoid controversy than out of conviction. But CR7 near the area, even without being in its best version, generates another perplexity in the rivals.

Throw it all on the Portugal grillbut did not reach it. The 4-2-1-3 from the start became a 4-2-4, with Bernardo Silva starting midfielder, Cristiano in the area together with Ramos and Bruno Fernandes and Joao Félix wide open. Later Rafael Leao replaced Ramos. He gained width and was able to go deep down the flanks, but almost all attempts ended up in the centre, where Bono usually doesn’t hesitate.

Morocco felt the wear and tear, lost captain Saiss to injury and ended up entrenched too close to goal. The only one that Cristiano had was fixed by Bono. And so Morocco struck another blowin his best performance in World Cup history, always in front of a thunderous majority crowd.

Even Portugal, and Cristiano Ronaldo, say goodbye faster than expected. This World Cup is not about titles of nobility, it has become clear. And in Morocco much less.