Morocco and Portugal will battle for a place in the semi-final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup when they meet at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha on Saturday.
Venue: Al Thumama Stadium (Doha)
Key Statistics
Morocco have conceded just one goal in this World Cup.
They are unbeaten in their last eleven games (W8, D3).
They have kept eight clean sheets in their last eleven games.
Portugal have scored 2+ goals in four of their last five games.
They have two clean sheets in their last five games.
The Seleção have scored the most goals in the World Cup this year (12-level with England).
World Cup trivia: The 0-0 draw against Spain before Morocco’s eventual penalties win was a seventh at this World Cup, equalling an all-time record in the competition
Head to head
Both teams have one win apiece in two meetings between them.
Latest performances in all competitions
Morocco: W-W-W-D-W
Portugal: W-L-W-W-W
Morocco
After producing the biggest upset in the Qatar World Cup this year, Morocco will look to go another step further in their quest to make history when they take on Portugal on Saturday.
The North African side beat Spain on penalties last time out, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou the hero of the show after saving two spot kicks from Sergio Busquets and Carlos Soler.
The win made Morocco the only remaining team from the African continent in the World Cup this year. They are also just the fourth team from the continent, and the first Arab nation, to reach the quarter-finals of a World Cup.
They now meet Portugal, a side that beat them 1-0 in the group stages four years ago, looking to avenge that loss and become the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.
After becoming the first African manager to reach the World Cup quarter-finals after outmanoeuvring esteemed Spanish coach Luis Enrique, Morocco coach Walid Regragui is unlikely to be fearful of this Portugal side considering his side have let in just one goal this tournament.
FIFA recently stated that ‘’Moroccan football is starting to reap rewards of the Federation’s good work’’ and it appears the sky’s the limit for the Atlas Lions, who will fancy their chances given that they are unbeaten in their last eleven games (W8, D3).
Possible Morocco starting line-up
Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Jawad El Yamiq, Romain Saiss, Noussair Mazraoui, Azzedine Ounahi, Sofyan Amrabat, Selim Amallah, Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri, Sofiane Boufal.
Injured: None
Doubtful: Romain Saiss, Nayef Aguerd
Suspended: None
Portugal
Despite not starting their last game with star forward Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal made light work of Switzerland on Tuesday to book their place in this round of the World Cup.
Goals from Pepe, Raphael Guerreiro, Rafael Leão and a hat-trick from Benfica forward Gonçalo Ramos gave Portugal a 6-1 win over Switzerland and secured a place in this round of the tournament for the first time in 16 years.
In scoring a hat-trick in his first start at the World, Gonçalo Ramos became the first player to achieve that feat on his full debut in the competition since Miroslav Klose in 2002.
Meanwhile, the result was only the second time Portugal have scored 6+ goals at a major tournament and so belief is growing back home especially as the Seleção are led by Santos, who already has hero status after guiding Portugal to European Championship glory in 2016.
But they will have to be at their imperious best again to win against a Morocco side that has conceded just one goal in their last eight outings (W6, D2).
Possible Portugal starting line-up
Diogo Costa, Diogo Dalot, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Raphael Guerreiro, William Carvalho, Bernardo Silva, Otávio, Bruno Fernandes, Goncalo Ramos, João Félix.
Injured: Nuno Mendes, Danilo Pereira
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Odds
| Odds-Morocco | Odds-Portugal | % Morocco | % Portugal | |
| To qualify | 3.500 | 1.300 | 27.76 | 72.24 |
| In 90 mins | 5.750 | 1.660 | 15.84 | 54.86 |
| In Extra-time | 21.000 | 10.000 | 4.34 | 9.11 |
| In Penalty | 12.000 | 11.000 | 7.59 | 8.28 |
Prediction
Morocco 1-1 Portugal
Live Stream
For details, FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 – TV Broadcast / Live Stream
