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Rabat – The Atlas Lions roared in their second 2018 World Cup game against Portugal. The Moroccan team, however, was not lucky enough to score against the Portuguese squad after Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal in the 4th minute of the match.
The Moroccan football team challenged the Portuguese team with their counter-attacks and defensive skills during the game against Portugal. All players delivered a solid performance throughout the game, but missed multiple opportunities to beat Ronaldo’s team.
Moroccan striker Nordin Amrabat, who suffered a head injury during the Iran-Morocco game, was called the man of the game, and he well deserved it for his fabulous attacking skills, showing great determination to make history again.
Morocco’s head coach, Hervé Renard, made two changes during the second half of the game, exchanging Khalid Boutaib with Ayoub El Kaabi and Younes Belhanda with Mehdi Carcela.
The Atlas Lions prevented the Portuguese team from scoring another goal with pressure, great defense, and strength.
The Moroccan team dominated the ball with 63 percent possession against 37 percent for Portugal.
Morocco lost their first game against Iran Friday after an own goal by Aziz Bouhaddouz in the extra time of the second half.
The Atlas Lions had more shots (4) on target than they did in their first game against Iran. Moroccan fans can be proud of their team.
The game’s referee did not award the Moroccan team a free kick after Portugal’s Raphaël Guerreiro pushed Amrabat in the penalty zone.
Morocco’s striker Mehdi Benatia also missed two golden opportunities to score. Moroccan sports analysts said that the changes in the second half, referring to the exchange of Belhanda with Mehdi Carcela.
Cameras surrounding Luzhniki stadium in Moscow showed some Moroccan fans crying after the game.
Morocco has only one game left to play against Spain on June 25.
Morocco does not have any chance to move to the next round of the 2018 World Cup after losing its first and second game. Senegal, which won 2-1 against Poland, is the only African to win its first 2018 World Cup game.
