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Portugal Spain Iran Morocco P W D 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 0 2 0 0 L 0 0 1 2 GD Pts 1 4 1 4 0 3 -2 0 WITHOUT Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal would be packing their bags, preparing for an early return home.
The superstar scored again, making it four goals in two matches, to register a win for Portugal that was undeserved, but kept them on course for the knockout stages.
But while Ronaldo continued his quest to make the World Cup all about him, his contribution showed just how abject his team would be without him leading them.
Fresh from a hat-trick in the thrilling 3-3 draw in their opener against Spain, Ronaldo was the main man again, plundering an early header which sealed the win.
But the brutal truth is that the reigning European champions were lucky, outplayed by Morocco, who undeservedly went out of the tournament after a second straight defeat.
Ronaldo may lead the race for the Golden Boot, but the Portuguese must undergo a dramatic change in form if the Euro 2016 winners are to have any chance of going far here in Russia.
Aside from Ronaldo’s goal, his 85th in 152 appearances, making him the highest European international goalscorer of all-time, Fernando Santos’s men offered little else and clung on for the win.
All the enterprise and ambition came from Morocco, who were ultimately let down by a lack of conviction and cutting edge.
Ronaldo’s decisive goal earned him the man-ofthe-match award from
FIFA, although any of Morocco’s ebullient attackers were worthy of it, while newly-signed Wolves keeper, Rui Patricio (right), played a key role, including one outstanding save in the second half.
Ronaldo’s winner came in the fourth minute, the Real Madrid star stooping to meet Joao Moutinho’s cross, and showing great courage to put his head where the boots were flying, in order to guide the
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