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Morocco vs Spain LIVE: World Cup 2022 score and updates from last 16 as Morocco holding firm

Morocco play Spain in the last 16 of the Qatar World Cup today, with the winners set to face Portugal or Switzerland in the quarter-finals.

Spain finished second in their group despite thrashing Costa Rica and drawing with Germany, due to a shock loss to Japan on their last matchday of the first round.

Meanwhile, Morocco stunned Belgium and beat Canada after an opening draw with Croatia, topping their group to set up this tie with 2010 champions Spain.

Later today, Portugal take on Switzerland in the final last-16 game of Qatar 2022, with the victors from that match-up playing the winners of this game in the next round.

Follow all the action with our live blog below:

Morocco vs Spain

  • Morocco face Spain in the last 16 of World Cup 2022

  • Winner will face Portugal or Switzerland in quarter-finals

  • 42’ - CHANCE! Aguerd puts free header over the bar (MAR 0-0 ESP)

  • 32’ - SAVE! Simon repels Mazraoui shot from distance (MAR 0-0 ESP)

  • 26’ - CHANCE! Asensio springs offside trap but hits the side netting (MAR 0-0 ESP)

  • 11’ - CLOSE! Hakimi curls free-kick narrowly over (MAR 0-0 ESP)

  • Morocco team news: Ziyech starts, as does Hakimi after minor ankle injury

  • Spain team news: No Morata in starting XI but Llorente comes into defence

Who needs Cristiano Ronaldo? Goncalo Ramos hat-trick powers Portugal into World Cup quarter-finals

Tuesday 6 December 2022 21:35 , Michael Jones

Seventy per cent of Portugal fans cannot be wrong. Those who voted to drop Cristiano Ronaldo from the starting line-up, in a highly-publicised poll by sports daily A Bola, got their wish. And if that was an indication that Portuguese football is ready to turn away from the greatest goalscorer of his generation, then the sight of his replacement scoring a hat-trick in an emphatic 6-1 win over Switzerland to reach the World Cup quarter-finals just about confirmed it.

The previously unheralded Goncalo Ramos - on the first start of his international career no less - did not come to praise Ronaldo but to bury him. The Benfica striker not only scored three but set up another of Portugal’s six goals, in what must be described as the break-out performance of this tournament to date. What it means for the man he replaced is unclear ahead of a date in the last eight with Morocco, but it was hard not to conclude that Portugal are a better team in Ronaldo’s absence.

That was one of the nagging questions of the group stages, after all - like Manchester United, would Fernando Santos’ band of young, skilful attacking players reach new heights without the need to accommodate a temperamental 37-year-old who only appears to slow them down? The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s strop after being substituted in the defeat to South Korea last Friday gave Santos cover to make a brave call and an opportunity to experiment. He took it.

Who needs Ronaldo? Ramos hat-trick powers Portugal into World Cup quarter-finals

Goncalo Ramos fills Cristiano Ronaldo’s shoes with dream World Cup display

Tuesday 6 December 2022 21:30 , Michael Jones

Prior to Portugal’s World Cup last-16 match against Switzerland, Cristiano Ronaldo had played 13,250 minutes of international football, approximately nine days more than the 36 minutes played by Goncalo Ramos. Ronaldo had also scored 109 goals in 159 international matches, including at five World Cups, while Ramos had scored once in three substitute appearances.

But by the end of his first start for his country, as Portugal cruised into the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a thumping 6-1 win over Switzerland, Ramos had scored three more goals in the knockout stages of the tournament than Ronaldo has managed across his entire career. The 21-year-old’s sensational hat-trick will go down as one of great breakout displays in World Cup history.

The decision made by Portugal head coach Fernardo Santos to drop Ronaldo was a seismic one. Whether it was due to form or for disciplinary reasons, following the reaction to his substitution against South Korea, it was a decision that required every inch of a strong and experienced managerial backbone. That much was proved by the army of photographers camped outside the Portugal dugout, and as Santos ignored the screaming hordes and their shrieks when Ronaldo was shown on the big screen.

Goncalo Ramos fills Cristiano Ronaldo’s shoes with dream World Cup display

World Cup quarter-final schedule

Tuesday 6 December 2022 21:27 , Michael Jones

Friday, 9 December:

Croatia v Brazil (15:00 GMT)

Netherlands v Argentina (19:00 GMT)

Saturday, 10 December:

Morocco v Portugal (15:00 GMT)

England v France (19:00 GMT)

Luis Enrique refuses to discuss Spain future after World Cup exit

Tuesday 6 December 2022 21:24 , Michael Jones

Luis Enrique has refused to confirm that he will stay on as Spain head coach after his team were dumped out of the World Cup by Morocco.

Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets all missed from 12 yards before Achraf Hakimi struck the winning spot-kick in a 3-0 penalty shootout victory.

The result means Spain’s wait for a knockout win at this tournament extends to 12 years, their last coming when they won the trophy back in 2010.

Luis Enrique refuses to discuss Spain future after World Cup exit

Morocco heroes stand tall to make history as Spain shrink in shootout

Tuesday 6 December 2022 21:21 , Michael Jones

A now vintage Spanish elimination, a historic Moroccan victory. They have ensured this first ever World Cup in the Muslim world still has a Muslim country involved, and prevented the usual carve-up between Europe and South America. Morocco have reached the quarter-finals for the first time, and fully deserved it.

It was Luis Enrique himself who said Walid Regragui’s side are the “revelations of this World Cup”. They’re even more than that now.

If it points to a new world, and came from a side that have announced themselves as someone no one wants to face, much of that was from exploiting the same old Spanish flaws. They go out at the last-16 stage on penalties for the second successive World Cup, again playing over 1,000 passes in a match, and that ensuring that Luis Enrique’s demand for his players to hit over 1,000 penalties in the last year meant nothing. They scored none of their three penalties.

Morocco heroes stand tall to make history as Spain shrink in shootout

FT Portugal 6-1 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 21:18 , Michael Jones

Bruno Fernandes has been directly involved in five goals in three games at the 2022 WorldCup (two goals and three assists).

It’s the most by a Portuguese player in a single edition of the tournament since 1966 (10 Eusébio & 6 José Torres)

Cristiano Ronaldo shocked by seismic shift in Portugal’s World Cup pecking order

Tuesday 6 December 2022 21:15 , Michael Jones

Sometimes the end comes gradually, sometimes suddenly. And sometimes both. Two weeks to the day since Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United, Portugal left him out. Discarded by club, dropped by country, Ronaldo should not search out Piers Morgan to cry betrayal again. As Goncalo Ramos did his finest Geoff Hurst impression, starting a World Cup on the bench and scoring a hat-trick in the knockout stages while standing in for a great, Ronaldo found himself replaced by a revelation.

When the chant of “Ronaldo” rang around the Lusail after an hour, it was a tribute, rather than a rebellion. The most contentious call of Fernando Santos’s managerial career was starting to look the best. When Ronaldo entered the fray for the final 18 minutes, it was to deafening ovation, but after a seismic shift in the pecking order. The player many think is the finest ever is now the understudy to a prospect who was uncapped three weeks ago.

As Portugal scored at least five goals in a World Cup knockout game for the first time since Eusebio instigated a comeback against North Korea in 1966, Ronaldo received proof his country, like his former club, are better off without him on the pitch.

Cristiano Ronaldo shocked by seismic shift in Portugal’s pecking order

FT Portugal 6-1 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 21:12 , Michael Jones

Should England get past France on Saturday night they’ll face one of either Portugal or Morocco in the following round.

Goncalo Ramos fills Cristiano Ronaldo’s shoes with dream World Cup display

Tuesday 6 December 2022 21:09 , Michael Jones

Prior to Portugal’s World Cup last-16 match against Switzerland, Cristiano Ronaldo had played 13,250 minutes of international football, approximately nine days more than the 36 minutes played by Goncalo Ramos. Ronaldo had also scored 109 goals in 159 international matches, including at five World Cups, while Ramos had scored once in three substitute appearances.

But by the end of his first start for his country, as Portugal cruised into the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a thumping 6-1 win over Switzerland, Ramos had scored three more goals in the knockout stages of the tournament than Ronaldo has managed across his entire career. The 21-year-old’s sensational hat-trick will go down as one of great breakout displays in World Cup history.

The decision made by Portugal head coach Fernardo Santos to drop Ronaldo was a seismic one. Whether it was due to form or for disciplinary reasons, following the reaction to his substitution against South Korea, it was a decision that required every inch of a strong and experienced managerial backbone. That much was proved by the army of photographers camped outside the Portugal dugout, and as Santos ignored the screaming hordes and their shrieks when Ronaldo was shown on the big screen.

Goncalo Ramos fills Cristiano Ronaldo’s shoes with dream World Cup display

FT Portugal 6-1 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 21:06 , Michael Jones

Portugal are only the second team in the 21st Century to score 6+ goals in a World Cup knockout stage match, after Germany versus Brazil in the 2014 semi-final (7-1).

Portugal vs Switzerland player ratings: Goncalo Ramos magnificent in Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence

Tuesday 6 December 2022 21:03 , Michael Jones

Goncalo Ramos scored a stunning hat-trick as a slick Portugal thrashed Switzerland 6-1 on Tuesday to storm into the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time since 2006.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos took the brave call to bench Cristiano Ronaldo and was rewarded with an artful display from his side as they set up a last-eight clash with Morocco, who stunned Spain in a penalty shootout earlier on Tuesday. Ramos, making his first start at the World Cup, gave Portugal the lead in the 17th minute after latching onto Joao Felix’s pass and smashing the ball past Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer at his near post from an acute angle.

The 21-year-old Benfica striker scored his second, and Portugal’s third, six minutes after the break by getting onto the end of Diogo Dalot’s low cross and he completed his hat-trick in the 67th with a delicate dinked finish.

Portugal vs Switzerland player ratings: Ramos magnificent in Ronaldo’s absence

FT Portugal 6-1 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 21:00 , Michael Jones

Here’s how the four quarter-finals shape up.

On Friday the Netherlands face Argentina before Croatia take on Brazil.

Then on Saturday Morocco will go up against Portugal before France go head-to-head with England.

FT Portugal 6-1 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:57 , Michael Jones

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Full-time: Portugal 6-1 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:54 , Michael Jones

90+4 mins: A brilliant night comes to an end for Portugal. They’ve been blistering, confident and clinical. It’s a performance which signals their intentions to go far in the competition and sets them up for a quarter-final against Morocco.

Six highly impressive goals for Fernando Santos’ men sees them thrash Switzerland and storm into the next round.

GOAL! Portugal 6-1 Switzerland (Leao, 90+2)⚽️

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:51 , Michael Jones

90+2 mins: Six! Substitute Rafael Leao is fed into the left side of the box and brings the ball inside of the nearest defender before curling a fine finish into the far corner.

Yann Sommer is rooted to the spot and just watches it sail into the back of the net. Leao’s only been on the pitch for five minutes.

Portugal 5-1 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:49 , Michael Jones

90 mins: Four minutes of added time to play before Portugal are confirmed as World Cup quarter-finalists.

Portugal 5-1 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:49 , Michael Jones

87 mins: Cristiano Ronaldo makes a decent run into the box and latches onto a poor clearance but his effort is deflected wide. The 37-year-old will be desperate for a goal tonight.

Portugal 5-1 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:44 , Michael Jones

84 mins: Disallowed! Cristiano Ronaldo is played in behind the Switzerland defence as the ball comes over the top. He sweeps into the box and guides a lovely finish into the back of the net.

Ronaldo nows he’s offside though and looks over to the assistant referee waiting for the flag to go up. It does.

Portugal 5-1 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:42 , Michael Jones

82 mins: Ricardo Rodriguez gets the ball down the left wing and carries it to the byline before lifting a cross into the middle of the bix as Bruno Fernandes attempts to block it.

Pepe deals with the cross but Fernandes is clipped by Rodriguez’s follow through and has to hobble away from the collision.

Portugal 5-1 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:40 , Michael Jones

79 mins: Gonçalo Ramos is the first player to score a hat-trick on his first World Cup start since Miroslav Klose for Germany in 2002.

Breel Embolo tries to get his name on the scoresheet after receiving the ball from Xherdan Shaqiri. He miscontrols it forcing the ball into the air before sending an overhead kick wide of the left-hand post.

Portugal 5-1 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:35 , Michael Jones

76 mins: Bernardo Silva is brought down by Eray Comert and wins Portugal a free kick about 25 yards out from goal leaving Cristiano Ronaldo with a chance to shoot.

He strikes it well but fires his effort into the wall.

Portugal 5-1 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:33 , Michael Jones

73 mins: Only Brazil in their round of 16 tie against South Korea showed the level of skill, dominance and composure that Portugal have displayed tonight. They’ve been brilliant.

Fernando Santos now makes three changes. Joao Felix, Goncalo Ramos and Otavio all go off with Vitinha, Ricardo Horta and Cristiano Ronaldo brought on.

Portugal 5-1 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:29 , Michael Jones

70 mins: What a night for this has been for the 21-year-old. He was brought in to freshen up the forward line and bring some pace to proceedings having replaced Cristiano Ronaldo.

Three goals later and he’s fully justified his inclusion in the team.

GOAL! Portugal 5-1 Switzerland (Ramos, 67’)⚽️

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:25 , Michael Jones

67 mins: Hat-trick! Diogo Costa boots the ball up the pitch and Bruno Fernandes manages to nod it down to Bernardo Silva who passes it up to Joao Felix.

Felix slides the ball across to Goncalo Ramos who pokes the ball into the box then flicks it wide of Yann Sommer to record his third goal of the night!

Portugal 4-1 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:24 , Michael Jones

64 mins: There’s a loud chorus chant of ‘Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldo’ going around the stadium as the fans want to see Portugal’s captain brought onto the pitch. It only lasts for a few moments but it was loud.

Switzerland win a throw in on the right wing and give it to Xherdan Shaqiri who boots an effort high and wide.

Portugal 4-1 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:20 , Michael Jones

61 mins: It’s still a long way back for Switzerland but at least they’re showing a bit of fight. Akanji grabbed the ball out of the net and took it back to the centre circle to get the game restarted quickly. Another goal for the Swiss would make things interesting.

As it stands though Portugal are still firmly in control.

GOAL! Portugal 4-1 Switzerland (Akanji, 58’)⚽️

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:17 , Michael Jones

58 mins: Switzerland get one back! Breel Embolo wins his team a corner kick that is fizzed straight into the six-yard area. Goncalo Ramos wins the initial ball and glances it over to the back post where Manuel Akanji pops up with no defenders near him to tip the ball into the open net.

GOAL! Portugal 4-0 Switzerland (Guerreiro, 55’)⚽️

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:14 , Michael Jones

55 mins: Another one! Switzerland are all over the place defensively as Otavio wins the ball in the middle of the pitch. He gives it to Bruno Fernandes who sends the ball up to Goncalo Ramos.

Ramos feeds it into the left side of the box for the arrival of Raphael Guerreiro who brings the ball under control then smokes a powerful finish into the back of the net!

Portugal 3-0 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:13 , Michael Jones

54 mins: Switzerland are now staring down the barrel of a heavy defeat. Bruno Fernandes whips another corner into the box and Pepe rises above Embolo before nodding the ball down towards Joao Felix.

The ball doesn’t reach the forward and Switzerland get it clear. Goncalo Ramos will have having thoughts of a World Cup hat-trick now.

GOAL! Portugal 3-0 Switzerland (Ramos, 51’)⚽️

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:09 , Michael Jones

51 mins: Game over! What a brilliant t decision it was from Fernando Santos to start Goncalo Ramos tonight. Portugal send the ball over to Diogo Dalot on the right wing who carries the ball down the line before squaring a pass into the box.

Ramos makes a run to the near post, sneaks ahead of Ruben Vargas then pokes the ball through the legs of Yann Sommer to send his country into the quarter-finals.

Portugal 2-0 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:08 , Michael Jones

48 mins: Portugal win a corner early in the second half that gets flicked into the middle of the box. The ball comes loose but Ricard Rodriguez manages to prod it away and Switzerland get it booted down to the opposite end of the pitch.

Second half: Portugal 2-0 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:05 , Michael Jones

Switzerland have made a change at the break. Fabian Schar has gone off with Eray Comert coming on to replace him. Portugal get the ball rolling to start the second half having made no changes to their line-up.

HT Portugal 2-0 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 20:00 , Michael Jones

At 39 years & 283 days old Portugal defender Pepe is now the oldest ever player to score in a knockout stage game at the World Cup.

 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

HT Portugal 2-0 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 19:57 , Michael Jones

Gonçalo Ramos scored more goals for Portugal in the World Cup knockout stages after 17 minutes (1) than Cristiano Ronaldo has in 514 minutes played in the competition’s knockout rounds (0).

HT Portugal 2-0 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 19:54 , Michael Jones

 (PA)
(PA)
 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

Half-time: Portugal 2-0 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 19:51 , Michael Jones

45+4 mins: Raphael Guerreiro laces a shot over the bar before the whistle goes for half time. Portgual will be over the moon by that first half. Fernando Santos’ decision to drop Cristiano Ronaldo has paid off brilliantly.

Portugal 2-0 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 19:43 , Michael Jones

43 mins: Save! Lovely movement from Ramos sees him drift in behind Rodriguez as Joao Felix threads the ball up to him. He takes it into the box and shoots but Sommer leaps low to his left and pushes the effort wide of the far post!

Fine save from the Swiss goalkeeper.

Portugal 2-0 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 19:41 , Michael Jones

42 mins: Portugal have been brilliant so far in this half. They’ve moved the ball quickly, pressed in packs and kept Switzerland’s clear cut chances to a minimum.

Portugal 2-0 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 19:40 , Michael Jones

39 mins: Freuler charges down Pepe and leaves a bit too much on the Portugal goalscorer before lifting his hands in innocence. Portugal win a free kick and Freuler escapes a booking.

Portugal 2-0 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 19:36 , Michael Jones

36 mins: Switzerland will do well to get back into this one. Portugal come at them again with Goncalo Ramos storming up the pitch with the ball.

He slides it into the box for Joao Felix who keeps it alive at the byline and lifts a cross back into the middle. Ramos is still up there with him but the ball goes over his head and Switzerland clear their lines.

GOAL! Portugal 2-0 Switzerland (Pepe, 33’)⚽️

Tuesday 6 December 2022 19:33 , Michael Jones

33 mins: Two for Portugal! They win a corner that Bruno Fernandes lifts into the middle of the box. Pepe makes a run from deep and has no-one around him when the ball drops onto his head.

The Portuguese defender powers it past Yann Sommer and doubles his team’s lead.

Portugal 1-0 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 19:31 , Michael Jones

30 mins: Chance! Xherdan Shaqiri takes the free kick for Switzerland and whips it around the wall. The shot is heading for the bottom corner but Diogo Costa leaps across and pushes the ball wide of the target.

The resultant corner is easily cleared but Portugal.

Portugal 1-0 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 19:29 , Michael Jones

28 mins: Sommer boots the ball into the middle of the pitch where Breel Embolo brings the ball under control. He spins towards the Portuguese goal and shakes off a couple of tackles.

Ruben Dias tries to recover the ball but Embolo is too strong and eventually wins a free kick from Dias holding him back.

Portugal 1-0 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 19:25 , Michael Jones

25 mins: Portugal have stepped up a gear since taking the lead too. Fabian Schar is on the deck and needs some treatment from the medical team.

The defender looks okay and will continue for Switzerland.

Portugal 1-0 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 19:23 , Michael Jones

23 mins: Bernardo Silva sends the ball through midfield and gives it to Joao Felix who floats a pass over the top for Goncalo Ramos. Ramos manages to bring the ball down but his first touch is heavy meaning by the time he gets a shot away he can’t give it as much power as he’d like.

Sommer keeps it out.

Portugal 1-0 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 19:22 , Michael Jones

20 mins: That goal will change the complexion of the game as well. Switzerland will have to step up now and search for an equaliser.

Guerreiro is played forward on the left wing and his pass into the box is worked away. It bobbles up for Otavio who has a dart at goal and fizzes his shot through the defence but Sommer manages to keep it out.

GOAL! Portugal 1-0 Switzerland (Ramos, 17’)⚽️

Tuesday 6 December 2022 19:18 , Michael Jones

17 mins: What a strike! Cristiano Ronaldo’s replacement at the top of the pitch, Goncalo Ramos, is given the ball on the left side of the Swiss box and he checks to the left and smashes his shot straight at goal.

The angle is incredibly tight but the accuracy and power behind the strike leaves Yann Sommer with no chance to stop it.

Portugal 0-0 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 19:17 , Michael Jones

15 mins: This game already has a similar feel to the Morocco versus Spain last-16 tie. Switzerland are being fluid with their formation and drop into a back five when Portugal are in possession.

Bernardo Silva is given the ball and weaves into the box before a squared pass gets intercepted and cleared.

Portugal 0-0 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 19:13 , Michael Jones

12 mins: Bernardo Silva brings the ball through midfield before sliding it to Otavio. He lays it off to Diogo Dalot who flicks a forward pass up to the edge of the box.

Goncalo Ramos is the target but Ricardo Rodriguez leaps in front of him and heads the ball clear.

Portugal 0-0 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 19:11 , Michael Jones

9 mins: A lovely diagonal ball over to Edimilson Fernandes on the right side sees the Swiss right back get forward on the wing. He cuts inside and lifts a cross over to the back post but the pass is too heavy for Remo Freuler and bounces out of play.

Portugal 0-0 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 19:06 , Michael Jones

6 mins: Chance! A loose ball into the midfield from Diogo Costa sees Switzerland win the ball and send it immediately up to Breel Embolo.

He shifts the ball around Ruben Dias and gets into the left side of the box before unleashing a shot towards goal. Pepe is covering though and makes a good block to deny him a potential opener.

Portugal 0-0 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 19:03 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Pepe switches the play out to Raphael Guerreiro who finds Bruno Fernandes in the box. He’s looking to feed it to Joao Felix but a heavy first touch takes the ball away from him and Ricardo Rodriguez comes across to boot it clear.

Kick off: Portugal 0-0 Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 19:01 , Michael Jones

Switzerland get the match started and send it over to the left side of the pitch where it’s won by the Portuguese who then work the ball back to goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Portugal vs Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 18:56 , Michael Jones

Here come the teams. Pepe leads out Portugal in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo tonight.

The national anthems are played and sung.

Kick off in the final last-16 game of the 2022 World Cup is up next.

Can Shaqiri score again?

Tuesday 6 December 2022 18:51 , Michael Jones

Xherdan Shaqiri needs one goal to equal Josef Hügi’s record as Switzerland’s all-time top scorer at the World Cup with six goals. He opened the scoring against Serbia last time out and will want to get his team off to another great start against Portugal.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Ronaldo vs Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 18:48 , Michael Jones

In two Nations League matches against Switzerland, Cristiano Ronaldo scored five goals, including a hat-trick in the 2019 semi-finals.

He enjoys playing against the Swiss but starts on the bench tonight.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Portugal vs Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 18:45 , Michael Jones

Who will reach the quarter-finals?

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(Getty Images)
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(Getty Images)

A genius move from Santos?

Tuesday 6 December 2022 18:42 , Michael Jones

Is the dropping of Cristiano Ronaldo due to his petulant behaviour or is Fernando Santos merely playing the odds?

All eight of Ronaldo’s World Cup goals have come in the group stage of the competition, the joint-most goals scored by a player in the tournament’s history without ever netting in the knockout rounds (alongside Lionel Messi).

Ronaldo is yet to find the back of the net in any of his six knockout appearances for Portugal at the World Cup, despite playing 514 minutes and having 25 total goal attempts.

Will Portugal miss Ronaldo?

Tuesday 6 December 2022 18:39 , Michael Jones

With Ronaldo dropped to the bench for this game, it’s the first time Portugal will play a match at a major tournament without him in the starting line-up since 2008.

It’s been even longer since the last time Portugal played without him in a knockout match, with the last year being 2000.

Portugal vs Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 18:36 , Michael Jones

Switzerland won two of their matches in the group stage at the 2022 World Cup (L1 v Brazil), and will be looking to win three games in a single World Cup tournament for the first time in their history.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s place in history is secure – his position in the sport is not

Tuesday 6 December 2022 18:33 , Michael Jones

It may say something about Fifa’s fondness for the rich and famous that the man-of-the-match award in this World Cup tends to go to the player with the greatest profile, not the one who produced the finest display in the preceding 90 minutes. Kevin De Bruyne was utterly bemused to find himself the recipient when Belgium beat Canada. Gareth Bale got the prize for a penalty against the United States, Luka Modric perhaps for being Luka Modric. But none is as rich and famous as Cristiano Ronaldo.

His status affords certain privileges, perhaps including winning and scoring a spot-kick that, as Mohammed Salisu appeared to win the ball, the Ghana manager Otto Addo deemed “a special gift from the referee”. But with his goal rendering him the governing body’s choice as officially the outstanding player in Portugal’s 3-2 victory, Ronaldo was summoned to speak.

The last time many had heard from him was during the explosive interview with Piers Morgan that prompted Manchester United to release him: no pay-off, no transfer fee, no fond farewell. It was an ignominious end. In effect, he is the sacked superstar, the unwanted incomparable, the legend who lost his job because he was a loose cannon. But in his first utterance as an out-of-work footballer, Ronaldo held his tongue.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s place in history is secure – his position in the sport is not

Portugal vs Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 18:30 , Michael Jones

The fans are ready. Will Portugal live up to their favourites tag or can Switzerland pull off the second World Cup shock of the day?

 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
 (PA)
(PA)
 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Portugal vs Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 18:27 , Michael Jones

Portugal will be looking to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup for just a third time, previously doing so in 1966 and in 2006.

However, they’ve failed to win any of their past five knockout games at the tournament, losing each of their last four, including defeats at this stage in 2010 (0-1 vs Spain) and in 2018 (1-2 vs Uruguay).

Portugal vs Switzerland latest odds

Tuesday 6 December 2022 18:24 , Michael Jones

In every aspect Switzerland are the underdogs heading into this match. Betfair has them as the most unlikely winners of the entire tournament after Morocco’s victory over Spain.

Here are the latest odds:

Portugal vs Switzerland winner

Portugal - 20/23

Draw - 12/5

Switzerland - 18/5

To qualify

Portugal - 2/5

Switzerland - 15/8

To win the 2022 World Cup

Brazil 9/5

France 4/1

Argentina 9/2

England 13/2

Portugal 9/1

Netherlands 13/1

Croatia 25/1

Morocco 35/1

Switzerland 60/1

Portugal vs Switzerland

Tuesday 6 December 2022 18:21 , Michael Jones

This will be the third meeting between Portugal and Switzerland in 2022, having faced each other twice in the Nations League in June.

Portugal won 4-0 in a match played in Lisbon, before Switzerland won 1-0 in Geneva a week later.

Why is Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench?

Tuesday 6 December 2022 18:18 , Michael Jones

One reason could be that Portugal coach Fernando Santos says he "really didn’t like" Ronaldo’s reaction to being substituted in the World Cup defeat by South Korea.

As Ronaldo was taken off he had a verbal outburst in the direction of his coach but has denied his words were meant for Santos.

"I am not worried if information is right or wrong," said Santos. "I do not read this type of information. I am focused on my team. We are focusing on training and not paying attention to any polls [in the Portuguese media].

"Yes, I did not like it, not at all [Ronaldo’s outburst]. I really did not like it and from that moment on that issue [it] is finished.”

Morocco heroes stand tall to make history as Spain shrink in shootout

Tuesday 6 December 2022 18:15 , Michael Jones

A now vintage Spanish elimination, a historic Moroccan victory. They have ensured this first ever World Cup in the Muslim world still has a Muslim country involved, and prevented the usual carve-up between Europe and South America. Morocco have reached the quarter-finals for the first time, and fully deserved it.

It was Luis Enrique himself who said Walid Regragui’s side are the “revelations of this World Cup”. They’re even more than that now.

If it points to a new world, and came from a side that have announced themselves as someone no one wants to face, much of that was from exploiting the same old Spanish flaws. They go out at the last-16 stage on penalties for the second successive World Cup, again playing over 1,000 passes in a match, and that ensuring that Luis Enrique’s demand for his players to hit over 1,000 penalties in the last year meant nothing. They scored none of their three penalties.

Morocco heroes stand tall to make history as Spain shrink in shootout

All the passing, all the penalties, none of the precision: Spain haunted by familiar World Cup exit

Tuesday 6 December 2022 18:12 , Michael Jones

“I couldn’t care less about the result,” Luis Enrique had said in the build-up to Spain’s latest bid to get past the World Cup’s first knockout round. He will care about this one, a magnificent Morocco instead earning the best in their history and a first-ever quarter-final place with it.

It came in a penalty shootout, just as it did against Russia four years ago at the same stage, Enrique’s directive to “take 1,000 penalties” before this tournament a year ago evidently not heeded.

Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets all erred this time before Achraf Hakimi impudently showed them how it was supposed to be done. They should’ve taken 1,001.

Spain haunted by lack of finishing touch in familiar World Cup exit

Portugal vs Switzerland line-ups

Tuesday 6 December 2022 18:09 , Michael Jones

Who will Morocco face in the quarter-finals? We’re about to find out as Portugal vs Switzerland is up next. The huge team news is that Portugal have dropped Cristiano Ronaldo to the bench.

Here’s a look at both line-ups:

Portugal XI: Diogo Costa, Raphael Guerreiro, Ruben Dias, Pepe, Diogo Dalot, Bernardo Silva, William Carvalho, Otavio, Joao Felix, Goncalo Ramos, Bruno Fernandes

Switzerland XI: Sommer, E. Fernandes, Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez, Freuler, Xhaka, Shaqiri, Sow, Vargas, Embolo

How far can Morocco go?

Tuesday 6 December 2022 18:06 , Michael Jones

Morocco are into the quarter-finals for the first time ever. They are only the fourth African team to reach that stage after Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010.

None of those three made it further in the competition. Can Morocco make history by reaching the semi-finals?

They’ll be facing either Portugal or Switzerland in the next round.

Spain’s success inspired a generation of creativity without a clinical edge

Tuesday 6 December 2022 18:03 , Michael Jones

There is a huge amount to be said for organisation and defensive solidity. It can keep teams up, keep them in a title hunt, level the playing field across 90 minutes when the general gulf in class between teams is enormous.

Positional play, resilience, aggression and minimising spaces between both lines and playing partners have always been hallmarks of what makes for good defensive work.

Somewhere along the way though, it began to change. Attack as the best form of defence became a mantra for some - most notably those who didn’t have the aforementioned traditional traits - and then, with Spain in particular leading the charge, possession as a means of preventing the opposition being able to attack became a prevalent sight.

Spain’s success inspired a generation of creativity without a clinical edge

Morocco defeat 3-0 Spain in a penalty shootout

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:59 , Michael Jones

What a penalty shootout for Yassine Bounou. He stopped two penalties and forced another onto the post. His efforts helped Morocco into the lead before Achraf Hakimi finished it off with a Panenka spot kick.

 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

Morocco vs Spain player ratings: Sofiane Boufal dazzles as Sofyan Amrabat disrupts

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:56 , Michael Jones

Spain were eliminated from the Qatar World Cup by Morocco on penalties on Tuesday, with the underdogs reaching the quarter-finals after the last-16 tie finished 0-0 after extra time.

A clash with Portugal or Switzerland is up next, with those sides squaring off in the final last-16 fixture of the tournament.

Here’s how the players fared:

Morocco vs Spain player ratings: Sofiane Boufal dazzles as Sofyan Amrabat disrupts

Morocco defeat 3-0 Spain in a penalty shootout

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:53 , Michael Jones

This is the first shock result of the knockout rounds. Morocco have eliminated Spain.

They made it incredibly difficult for the Spaniards to break them down during the 120 minutes and then held their nerve in the penalty shootout.

Morocco, the only African team left in the competition, make it into the final eight.

Morocco defeat 3-0 Spain in a penalty shootout

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:49 , Michael Jones

The stadium erupts as Hakimi’s penalty hits the back of the net. It’s heartbreak once again for Spain. They’ve been undone by yet another penalty shootout.

The Moroccan players are going wild. It’s the first time ever that Morocco have reached the World Cup quarter-finals.

Penalties: Morocco 3-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:46 , Michael Jones

Can Achraf Hakimi, a man born in Madrid, knock Spain out of the World Cup?

GOAL! He does! He dinks the ball down the middle and Morocco win! They’re through the quarter-finals!

Penalties: Morocco 2-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:45 , Michael Jones

SAVE! The experienced Sergio Busquets can’t convert either! Bono leaps to his right and pushes the ball wide!

Morocco can win this now.

Penalties: Morocco 2-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:44 , Michael Jones

SAVE! Badr Benoun has only just come on and he softly knocks it to Unai Simon’s right and the goalkeeper is solidly in behind it. That’s a lifeline for Spain.

Penalties: Morocco 2-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:44 , Michael Jones

SAVE! Carlos Soler looks focused as he steps up to the spot. Bono smiles at him then leaps to his left. The Moroccan goalkeeper gets his hands to the ball and he palms it away!

Huge save!

Penalties: Morocco 2-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:42 , Michael Jones

GOAL! Hakim Ziyech is the next man up for Morocco. Can he keep the pressure on Spain?

Yes he can! He belts it down the middle.

Penalties: Morocco 1-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:42 , Michael Jones

MISS! Pablo Sarabia missed a chance late in the game for Spain and he misses his spot kick!

He pulls his shot onto the right hand post!

Penalties: Morocco 1-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:41 , Michael Jones

GOAL! Abdelhamid Sabiri takes the first kick of the penalty shootout. He goes to the goalkeeper’s left and guides it into the corner. Unai Simon dives the wrong way.

Penalties: Morocco 0-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:39 , Michael Jones

Pablo Sarabia had a last minute chance for Spain but met a cross in from the left with a volley that struck the inside of the far post and bounced out.

Will that missed opportunity come back to haunt Spain? Morocco are up first in the shootout.

ET Morocco 0-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:37 , Michael Jones

Who’s going to win this penalty shootout?

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

ET Morocco 0-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:34 , Michael Jones

120+3 mins: There’s the whistle! Penalties it is. This have been a fabulous defensive performance from Morocco to keep Spain at bay for 120 minutes whilst creating some decent chances of their own.

The African side have never reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup and could get there tonight if they beat Spain in a penalty shootout. Spain were knocked out at this stage in a penalty shootout to Russia. Is history going to repeat itself?

ET Morocco 0-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:32 , Michael Jones

120 mins: Badr Benoun replaces Azzedine Ounahi for Morocco who then defend a Spanish corner competently before firing the ball long.

There’s going to be three minutes of added time to play.

ET Morocco 0-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:29 , Michael Jones

117 mins: Morocco are stepping it up Cheddira is sent on the counter-attack and carries the ball all the way into the box but getting tackled before getting a shot away.

Spain respond with a breakaway of their own but Alvaro Morata’s pass into the box for Ansu Fati is too heavy and it rolls out of play.

ET Morocco 0-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:25 , Michael Jones

114 mins: Saiss hobbles back onto the pitch with strapping covering his left hamstring. Busquets sends the ball down the line to Balde who crosses it into the middle where El Yamiq scoops it clear for the African side.

Just six minutes plus stoppage time to go.

ET Morocco 0-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:23 , Michael Jones

111 mins: Romain Saiss boots a clearance away from the edge of his own box and immediately goes to ground clutching his hamstring. That’s a blow for Morocco’s captain how shuffles off to the side of the pitch for some treatment.

Morocco are playing with 10-men at the minute.

ET Morocco 0-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:19 , Michael Jones

108 mins: Balde is sent sprinting down the left wing but Hakimi matches him for pace and marshalls the ball out of play for a Moroccan goal kick.

There’s no playing out from the back this time as Bono belts the ball long.

ET Morocco 0-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:17 , Michael Jones

105 mins: Morocco get the second half of extra-time underway and boot the ball as far down the pitch as they can. They’ll be hoping to take this game to penalties now.

ET Morocco 0-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:14 , Michael Jones

105+1 mins: The first half of extra-time comes to an end when a Spanish corner is swung into the middle. Bono comes and flaps it out as far as Llorente who sends a shot back into the box but has his effort blocked and cleared.

15 more minutes to play in this one before a penalty shootout.

ET Morocco 0-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:12 , Michael Jones

103 mins: Chance! Azzedine Ounahi brings the ball up the pitch and slips it into the box for Walid Cheddira. He cuts through the Spain defence, avoids a tackle from Rodri then drills a shot at goal but Unai Simon denies him with an outstretched right leg!

ET Morocco 0-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:11 , Michael Jones

102 mins: Ansu Fati’s introduction has added an injection of pace into Spain’s attack. He tries to get around Achraf Hakimi but is blocked off. Alvaro Morata then whips in a cross but it’s headed clear.

ET Morocco 0-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:06 , Michael Jones

99 mins: Nearly! Nico Williams shuffles away from a tackle on the right wing then lifts a decent cross into the box but the ball is too high for Alvaro Morata who looks for the header.

It drops over the top of him and Morocco clear their lines.

Luis Enrique makes a double change taking off Dani Olmo and Jordi Alba in favour of Alejandro Balde and Ansu Fati.

ET Morocco 0-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:03 , Michael Jones

96 mins: Jordi Alba’s low ball into the box from the left flies by Carlos Soler and Morocco work the ball away. It comes to Sofyan Amrabat who threads a beautiful through ball up the pitch and gets Walid Cheddira in on goal.

The forward carries the ball into the box but holds onto it too long allowing Aymeric Laporte to get back and poke the ball away from him.

Huge chance for Morocco and it goes begging.

ET Morocco 0-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 17:01 , Michael Jones

93 mins: Hakim Ziyech hooks a pass over the top of the Spanish defence and tries to get Walid Cheddira in behind. The ball bounces away from the striker though and Marcos Llorente manages to get back and take over possession.

ET Morocco 0-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 16:58 , Michael Jones

Kick off: Another 30 minutes to play then as Spain get the first half of extra-time started. Can one of these teams go on to win the game or is this match destined for penalties?

Extra-time: Morocco 0-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 16:57 , Michael Jones

Heading into extra-time at the Education City Stadium.

 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

Full-time: Morocco 0-0 Spain

Tuesday 6 December 2022 16:52 , Michael Jones

90+5 mins: Dani Olmo has a late chance to win it for Spain. He takes a free kick from the left side of the pitch and sends it towards goal. There’s an awkward bounce just before Bono but the goalkeeper turns it away!

Goalless. Good defending from Morocco and a lack of creativity from Spain means that no goals were scored in the 90 minutes and the match is heading to extra-time.

Can one of the teams win it before a penalty shootout?

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