Rampant Ronaldo seeks encore vs Morocco

After a spirited show against Spain, the Portugal captain will look to take his team closer to next round with win over the Africans

MOSCOW: Cristiano Ronaldo will attempt to follow up his World Cup opening game heroics for Portugal against a Morocco side licking their wounds after a crushing last-gasp defeat.

A hat-trick from the five-time world player of the year snatched a thrilling 3-3 draw for the European champions against Spain in a heavyweight Group B showdown in Sochi. “I am very happy, it’s a nice personal record to have, one more in my career,” said Ronaldo. “For me the most important thing is to emphasise what the team did against one of the favourites to win this World Cup.” Despite lifting the trophy at Euro 2016, Portugal are not widely viewed as among the favourites in Russia but can take a big step towards the last 16 with victory over Morocco in Moscow on Wednesday.

‘STRONGER THAN THEM’

“I think we are stronger than Morocco if we compare the two teams, but I’m not saying the game will be easy for us,” striker Andre Silva told reporters at Portugal’s training base.

“We cannot underestimate them and must have respect for any opponent. Any game at the World Cup is difficult.”

It will be just the second meeting between the two countries, after Morocco beat Portugal 3-1 in the group stage at the 1986 finals.

Morocco did not concede a single goal in the final qualifying round as they sealed a return to the World Cup for the first time in 20 years, but their knockout hopes hang by a thread after a 95th-minute own goal by Aziz Bouhaddouz against Iran.