Portugal's Ronaldo and Costa fail in dramatic World Cup loss v Morocco
PLAYER RATINGS: Bono and En-Nesyri put in heroic performances as Morocco stun Portugal to reach the World Cup semi-final, but Ronaldo and Diogo Costa fail to perform
- MATCH REPORT: Morocco eliminate Portugal from the World Cup quarter-finals
- Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo storms off the field in tears after the whistle
- Goalkeeper Bono and goalscorer Youssef El-Nesyri were excellent for Morocco
- While the veteran Ronaldo, 37, and Diogo Costa – at fault for the goal – struggled
- Below, Sportsmail give their player ratings and evaluations of all the players
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
Morocco provided the biggest shock of the entire World Cup on Saturday, knocking out huge favourites Portugal to reach the semi-finals in Qatar.
Walid Regragui’s men became the first African side to reach the last four of the competition after defending valiantly to grind out a 1-0 win against Fernando Santos’ team at the Al Thumama Stadium at the weekend.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and goalscorer Youssef El-Nesyri were excellent for Morocco, while Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo – who stormed off the field in tears at the final whistle – and Diogo Costa, at fault for the goal, struggled.
Below, Sportsmail‘s MATT BARLOW gives his player ratings and MAX MATHEWS offers his evaluation of each performance.
Morocco provided the shock of the World Cup as they beat Portugal 1-0 in the quarter-finals
Atlas Lions goalscorer Youssef En-Nesyri was excellent as his side progressed into the last four
But Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo was left in tears after the loss – and below, Sportsmail ‘s MATT BARLOW gives his player ratings and MAX MATHEWS offers evaluation of each performance
Portugal (4-3-3)
Diogo Costa – 5
At just 23 years old, Costa is the future of Portuguese goalkeeping. But he may not be the present. Rui Patricio, 34, has not done much wrong, and Costa will rue his ill-fated dash out of goal that allowed En-Nesyri to nod in the only goal of the game.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Perhaps surprisingly chosen ahead of Manchester City star Joao Cancelo at right-back, Dalot was strangely subdued throughout. He didn’t really get close to winger Sofiane Boufal in defence or trouble Morocco left-back Yahia Attiyat-Allah in attack.
Pepe – 6
Surely an ignominious exit for the final time from a World Cup. The 39-year-old was solid enough in defence but gave away a few silly fouls and missed a sitter at the end. The constant histrionics and shouting at the referee do him no credit.
Young goalkeeper Diogo Costa was at fault for En-Nesyri’s goal, leaving the net unguarded
It will surely be an ignominious exit from the World Cup for a final time for defender Pepe, 39
Ruben Dias – 6
Did not stand out and generally did his job well – apart from a moment of indecision which contributed to the only goal of the game, not challenging En-Nesyri in the air. That may have been down to getting a shout from Costa, though, to be fair.
Raphael Guerreiro – 6
Quieter than his previous appearances, but he was opposite a fierce competitor in Hakimi. Replaced shortly after the break.
Otavio – 6
His only notable contributions to the cause were falling down theatrically to try to win free-kicks. Did not get involved as much as he could or should have.
Ruben Neves – 6
A few crunching tackles early on set the tone for a physical encounter, but his playmaking abilities were shackled and he was sacrificed for Ronaldo in the 51st minute.
An embarrassing dive from Bruno Fernandes (above) tarnished the midfielder’s performance
Bernardo Silva – 6
Provided his characteristic all-action performance but was unable to live up to his astronomically high standards. He will be disappointed.
Bruno Fernandes – 6
Looked the most likely player to create something for Portugal, with a Marco van Basten-esque dipping volley striking the bar. But overcooked several passes and dived in the penalty area when he could have shot. A mixed bag.
Joao Felix – 6.5
Drifted in and out of the game but stung Bono’s palms with several fiery shots. Can create something out of nothing but needs more consistency to supplement his clear gifts.
Goncalo Ramos – 5
Had one opening, a second-half header, and missed it. The ruthlessness from the Switzerland thrashing abandoned him.
High-profile forward Ronaldo missed a one-on-one and this will surely be his last World Cup
SUBSTITUTES
Cristiano Ronaldo (for Neves, 51mins) – 5.5
Oh, Cristiano. Had a one-on-one, shot straight at the near post, easily saved by Bono. His tears at the end will adorn every newspaper’s back page on Sunday. His powers are waning, and there’s nothing he can do about it.
I wonder if he regrets that Piers Morgan interview. It’s not been great for him since then.
Joao Cancelo (for Guerreiro, 51mins) – 5
Had one eye-catching moment of skill after coming on – but wasted it by dallying before putting in his cross.
Rafael Leao (for Ramos, 69mins) – 6
Provided an instant impact and Portugal should perhaps have given him more time to change things. His superb cross nearly led to Pepe scoring an equaliser.
Vitinha (for Otavio, 69mins) – 5.5
A disappointing cameo from Vitinha, who never got into the rhythm of the match.
Ricardo Horta (for Dalot, 79mins)
Subs not used: Patricio, Sa; Palhinha, Andre Silva, Carvalho, Mario, Nunes, Antonio Silva.
MANAGER
Fernando Santos – 5
Ramos over Ronaldo was the right call (again) but Diogo Dalot did not repay his faith at right-back. Took too long to make changes, and was tactically out-classed by his opposite manager.
Morocco (4-3-3)
Yassine Bounou – 8
Was the best goalkeeper in LaLiga last year, and showed it. Not always orthodox, but very often effective. Some clutch saves when it counted.
Achraf Hakimi – 8
Potentially the star man for the Atlas Lions. He was brilliant again, physically, tactically, and as the emotional heartbeat of the team. An absolute attacking express train when in full flow but without the defensive vulnerabilities that often entails.
Jawad El Yamiq – 8.5
The 30-year-old Real Valladolid centre back will never have played in a bigger match in his career after replacing West Ham’s injured Nayef Aguerd. He dealt with every threat manfully.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made a big save from Ronaldo and was excellent throughout
Romain Saiss – 7
Battled on heroically despite obviously carrying a knock from the last match. His leadership will be missed if he cannot play in the semi-final.
Yahia Attiyat-Allah – 7.5
Another defender to step in, this time for Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazraoui, and impress. He was tigerish and relentless in his defensive work and delivered the high curling cross which saw En-Nesyri equalise.
Azzedine Ounahi – 7
Ounahi was everywhere. Patrolled box-to-box with menace, showing steel as well as silk in the midfield. It seemed like there were two of him on the pitch, and he outshone his more illustrious opponents.
Sofyan Amrabat – 7
Patrolled the defence tirelessly and it is clear why several top European sides are interested. Just about shaded by team-mate Ounahi in terms of performance.
Angers midfielder Azzedine Ounahi (left) outshone his more illustrious opponents on Saturday
Selim Amallah – 6.5
A competent showing in midfield, doing selfless work to help the team tick in attack, defence and transition. Replaced just after the hour.
Hakim Ziyech – 6.5
Showed several lovely elegant touches but did not impose himself on the game as much as his talent would suggest. Nonetheless, an important part of side and he is undroppable for the semi-final.
Youssef En-Nesyri – 8
Leapt like an electrified salmon to power home a header that sent his country into raptures. Whatever else happens, he will forever be remembered for that goal.
Sofiane Boufal – 7.5
The former Southampton wideman was strong, skilful and determined. A constant threat to Dalot and a constant outlet for his side.
En-Nesyri leapt like a salmon to power home a header that sent his country into raptures
SUBSTITUTES
Achraf Dari (for Saiss, 57mins) – 7
Stepped in seamlessly to the tournament’s best defence.
Walid Cheddira (for En-Nesyri, 65mins) – 5
His cameo was spoiled by a (slightly harsh) red card for two cautions in two minutes. Will miss the semi-final.
Badr Benoun (for Amallah, 65mins) – 6
Marshalled things well at the back and helped see out the game.
Zakaria Aboukhlal (for Ziyech, 82mins)
Yahya Jabrane (for Boufal, 82mins)
Subs not used: Mohamedi, Tagnaouti; Hamdallah, Zaroury, Sabiri, Chair, Ezzalzouli, El Khannouss.
MANAGER
Walid Regragui – 8
The 47-year-old is now the name on every football fan’s lips after masterminding the seemingly impossible. His Morocco side are so, so hard to beat. Could they reach the final? It’s not beyond the realms of possibility.
Manager Walid Regragui is the name on every fan’s lips after masterminding the impossible
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