Ronaldo, Portugal take on Morocco
England prevails; Salah suiting up for Egypt vs Russia?
MOSCOW (AFP) – 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.
It was Ronaldo's 51st career hat-trick, and the 51st in the tournament's history, as the Real Madrid star became just the fourth player to score in four World Cups.
''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.'' 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. Meanwhile, World Cup hosts Russia face an Egypt side buoyed by the likely return of star man Mohamed Salah on Tuesday knowing a win will all but guarantee a place in the last 16. Liverpool wizard Salah missed his team's defeat to Uruguay on Friday as he struggles to recover from the shoulder injury sustained during last month's Champions League Final.
Salah's shoulder has continued to cause him problems in Russia, and last weekend he needed the help of three team-mates to put a shirt on during a training session.
Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov was bullish ahead of the match in Saint Petersburg that his team can rein in the explosive striker.
''We know how to play against him,'' he said. ''We are ready to stop Salah and we will.''
Harry Kane, meantime, grabbed a dramatic late winner for England on Monday, powering home a header in injury time of their World Cup opener after Belgium had earlier swept past Panama.
Kane's second goal of the game secured a 2-1 victory after it looked as if England had squandered their chance to take all three points after being rocked by a Tunsian equaliser which followed a bright start.
Menaced by flying insects under the floodlights in Volgograd, England raced out of the blocks and took an early lead in the Group G match through Kane.