Doha: Cristiano Ronaldo will have a goal. Morocco looked to derail Spain’s bid for a second world crown as Portugal beat Switzerland to book a place in the World Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday.
Qatar have just two of the last eight spots left to fill after five-time winners Brazil thrashed South Korea 4-1 and 2018 finalists Croatia edged out Japan in a penalty shootout.
Ronaldo grabbed the headlines at the tournament before he kicked a ball after kick-off. A tirade against Manchester United and their manager Erik ten Hague.
He is now on the lookout for a new team following his “mutual agreement” exit, with sources saying he is in talks with Saudi club Al Nasr over a blockbuster deal.
The 37-year-old superstar forward, appearing in what is almost certainly his last World Cup, has, despite all rumors, been a shadow of his former self in Qatar.
After becoming the first player to score in five World Cups after scoring a penalty in his side’s opener against Ghana, he rallied but again failed to find the net.
Ronaldo’s starting role in the team has been a hot topic among Portugal fans, but coach Fernando Santos said he was not paying attention to the debate.
“I don’t read this kind of material,” he said. “It’s no disrespect, it’s just that we have three days to train for a game and I’m not looking at other types of news. We’re focused on the next game.”
Santos said he expected a close match against Switzerland. Portugal beat Switzerland 4-0 in the UEFA Nations League in June before losing 1-0 in the reverse fixture.
African Hopes
Morocco is the only remaining African team and the only Arab team left in Qatar.
Coach Walid Regragai has urged his men to believe they can beat powerhouse Spain as they bid to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history.
Morocco would become only the fourth African team to reach the last eight after Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010 if they beat the 2010 champions.
“We’ll come out swinging,” Regragai said. “We want to fly the Moroccan flag high. We are playing for ourselves and our country first.
“All Arabs and Africans, we want to make them happy. We want their prayers and we want their support so that it gives us additional ingredients to win. Before, only the Moroccans supported us.”
Spain started the tournament with a flurry, drawing with Germany and beating Costa Rica by seven goals before losing to South Korea.
Coach Luis Enrique said he set each of his players the “homework” of practicing 1,000 penalties before the World Cup, and said he believed they were not a lottery.
Brazil, with Neymar back in the side after injury, played a first-half masterclass against South Korea on Monday, going 4-0 up in the 36th minute, with a goal from the penalty spot for its talisman. was also included.
Paik Seung-ho pulled one back with a late thunderbolt but his side were outclassed in a disappointing night for Asian football.
Earlier, Luka Modric’s Croatia struggled against Japan, coming back from a goal down to equalize before winning 3-1 on penalties.
Goalkeeper Dominik Levakovic was Croatia’s hero, saving three penalties in the shootout.
Seven of Croatia’s last eight knockout games at major tournaments have gone to extra time, the only exception being the final loss to France in Russia four years ago.
Brazil will face Croatia in the quarter-finals on Friday, while the Netherlands will face Argentina on the same day. England will play France on Saturday.