Morocco vs Portugal live: World Cup score, highlights, result from 2022 quarterfinal match as Ramos starts for Ronaldo

Morocco will look to continue their remarkable 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign when they take on Portugal in the quarterfinals.

The only African team remaining in Qatar, Morocco topped their group before beating Spain in a penalty shootout in the last 16 to spark jubilation among their vast travelling support.

Portugal also managed to top their group and smashed Switzerland 6-1 in the Round of 16 to highlight their title credentials, with rookie striker Goncalo Ramos scoring a hat-trick.

It remains to be seen whether Cristiano Ronaldo will regain his place in the lineup as Portugal push for the last four.

The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights for Morocco vs Portugal at the 2022 World Cup. Follow for complete results from the quarterfinal match in Qatar.

MORE: Morocco vs Portugal: Prediction and best bets for quarterfinal

Morocco vs Portugal score

Goals:
None

Confirmed lineups:

Morocco confirmed lineup (4-3-3): 1. Bono (GK) — 2. Hakimi, 5. Aguerd, 6. Saiss, 25. Attiyah Allah — 8. Ounahi, 4. Amrabat, 15. Amallah — 7. Ziyech, 19. En-Nesyri, 17. Boufal

Portugal confirmed lineup (4-3-3): 22. Costa (GK) — 2. Dalot, 3. Pepe, 4. Dias, 5. Guerreiro — 25. Otavio, 18. Neves, 10. Silva — 8. Fernandes, 26. Ramos, 11. Felix

MORE: Watch every World Cup match live with fuboTV (U.S.-only free trial)

Morocco vs Portugal live updates, highlights from 2022 World Cup

Morocco vs Portugal: First half

13th min: Portugal again look quality from a set-piece delivery, almost identical to the previous free-kick, but a whack from Raphael Guerrero is blocked before it can reach the target. The hit was vicious and appeared to be headed on frame had it made its way through the trees.

11th min: Morocco again counter ferociously down the left, but a through-ball for Selim Amallah is picked out and smothered by Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Portugal will be at most vulnerable when attacking so they have to make sure they are set up right defensively when attacking. Morocco so quick on the counter.

— Danny Higginbotham (@Higginbotham05) December 10, 2022

7th min: Chance, Morocco! Off Morocco’s first corner, earned via a counter-attack, Youssef En-Nesyri gets a free header but it’s over the bar! One headed chance for each side, one miss for each side. A bright start to the match!

Watch in the USA:

What a chance for Morocco!

Youssef En-Nesyri gets a shot off but it’s above the crossbar 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/mHL5j2gyW9

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 10, 2022

5th min: Chance, Portugal! The first real action of the match took a few minutes, but Yassine Bounou is called into action for the first time, likely the first of many. Joao Felix gets his head to a Portugal free-kick, but it’s parried away by the Morocco goalkeeper. A great stop!

Watch in Canada:

First real test for Yassine Bounou, but he fight off the chance nicely. #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/zs4RTgQZMa

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 10, 2022

Kickoff: The match is under way! Portugal look to reach their second semifinal in the last 20 years, while Morocco search to become the first African side ever to reach a World Cup semifinal.

Morocco vs Portugal: Pre-match team news, analysis, commentary

7 mins to kickoff: Seems there are some reports of fans struggling to get inside Al Thumama Stadium for this match. Hopefully it subsides and those who paid to be in the stadium can get in their seats soon!

For the first time I have seen at #FIFAWorldCup    2022… some issues with moving the fans into the stadium… First bottleneck.. #POR v #MOR

— Nick Cavell (@Nic_Cavell) December 10, 2022

Erm, where is everyone? This is just as teams are about to come out at a World Cup quarter final. pic.twitter.com/czqUgOtTsy

— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) December 10, 2022

15 mins to kickoff: When it comes to World Cup match predictions, it’s hard to do better than a World Pup. Here’s Helen of Atlanta United, who selects favorites Portugal. You may have your thoughts on Helen’s prediction, but there is no debating that Helen is a very good dog.

World Pup Helen made her pick for 🇲🇦 Morocco vs Portugal 🇵🇹

Who do you think is advancing to the semifinals? ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/OexvqIWhrx

— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) December 10, 2022

30 mins to kickoff: Morocco coach Walid Regraugi before the match: “I’m not sure if Cristiano Ronaldo plays, but I hope he doesn’t. He’s one of the greatest ever and I’d be delighted if he doesn’t play against us.”

For now, that’s come true, but careful what you wish for, coach.

40 mins to kickoff: The tactical battle today will be Bruno Fernandes vs the Morocco midfield structure. Without Nayef Aguerd, the African side is a little softer in the middle, but still should stand tall against this relentless Portugal attack.

Goncalo Ramos got the headlines against Switzerland, but Fernandes has been Portugal’s best player this tournament on the whole. He’s been the highest-rated player of the tournament so far according to statistical website SofaScore, and he has German midfield legend Bastian Schweinsteiger purring.

Bastian Schweinsteiger on Bruno Fernandes: “I call him ‘the brain’. Like he literally moves so smart on the field and do you know what, you actually like kind of underestimate [his work rate].” [mu] #mufc

— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) December 10, 2022

1 hr 10 mins from kickoff: Lineups are now official, and indeed both injured Moroccan players are out for the Atlas Lions, a big blow.

For Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo remains on the bench as Fernando Santos has made just one change to his starting lineup that crushed Switzerland, bringing Ruben Neves back into midfield in place of William Carvalho.

1 hr 25 mins from kickoff: There are two critical players who could be missing from the Morocco lineup today. Bayern Munich defender Noussair Mazraoui is a real concern, as he and Achraf Hakimi represent one of the best full-back duos at the World Cup. They could also be missing West Ham midfielder Nayef Aguerd, as both were withdrawn due to injury in the Round of 16 win over Spain.

Their replacements would be Yahia Attiyah Allah and Jawad El Yamiq respectively. Attiyah Allah is a domestic-based full-back, while El Yamiq is a natural center-back who has seen just 433 minutes for Real Valladolid in La Liga this season. The official lineups have not yet come out but are due to any minute, and a pair of BBC reporters with African connections are claiming the two will not be fit to play.

Noussair Mazraoui and Nayef Aguerd OUT for Morocco due to injuries. Not even on the bench.

Massive blow for Morocco.

— John Bennett (@JohnBennettBBC) December 10, 2022

Morocco team news: Huge blow for the north African side, Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui are both out injured.#Mar #Por #FIFAWorldCup

— Shamoon Hafez (@ShamoonHafez) December 10, 2022

1 hr 40 mins from kickoff: No African nation has ever reached the semifinals of a World Cup. Only three have reached the quarterfinals in history, and none were able to progress. Those teams were Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010, and all three came extremely close.

Cameroon fell on a heartbreaker to England 3-2 in extra-time, downed by Gary Lineker from the penalty spot. Senegal also came extremely close, crushed by a 94th minute extra-time goal by Turkey when golden goals were still in play. Ghana also made it to extra time and then to penalties, but Uruguay advanced 4-2 in the shootout.

Today, #MAR attempts to become the first African nation to reach a #FIFAWorldCup semifinal.

3 previously made the QF. All 3 came extremely close.

⏱ 105′ — England 3-2 Cameroon (1998, AET)
⏱ 94 — Turkey 1-0 Senegal (2002, golden goal)
⏱ 102′ — Uruguay 4-2 Ghana (2010, pens)

— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) December 10, 2022

2 hrs from kickoff: The countdown to kickoff is ticking and we’re just one hour away from confirmed the starting 11s. Sofiane Boufal and Nayef Aguerd are both doubts for Morocco after being substituted off against Spain. Boufal’s absence would be an especially key blow. 

Portugal have kept a clean bill of health since the group stages but Ruben Dias, Joao Felix, Bruno Fernandes, and Ruben Neves are all one yellow card away from suspension. 

2 hrs 10 from kickoff: Portugal are likely to lineup without their greatest every player today, after Goncalo Ramos was preferred to Cristiano Ronaldo against Switzerland. This could be Ronaldo’s last World Cup game… 

🇵🇹 Portugal before Cristiano Ronaldo:

👎 Only qualified for 3 World Cups
👎 Only qualified for 3 EURO Championships
❌ No major trophies

🇵🇹 Portugal since Cristiano Ronaldo:

👍 Qualified for 5 World Cups
👍 Qualified for 5 EURO Championships
🏆 Won 2 major trophies pic.twitter.com/6RZIbWS4tu

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) December 10, 2022

2 hrs 55 from kickoff: Goncalo Ramos played just 10 minutes in the group stages before announcing himself to the world in the last-16. The Benfica striker smashed an incredible hat-trick past Switzerland in Portugal’s thumping 6-1 win, adding an assist for Raphael Guerreiro.

At just 21-years-old Ramos has been on fire for Benfica this season, scoring 14 goals (all competitions) for the Portuguese side. Now Fernando Santos has a huge decision for the quarterfinal: play the red-hot youngster… or bring Cristiano Ronaldo back into the team? 

3 hrs 10 from kickoff: When the full-time whistle blows and either Morocco or Portugal have confirmed their place in the semifinal, attention will turn to the Al Bayt Stadium. England face defending champions France in an all-star European heavyweight clash, with the winner facing either Cristiano Ronaldo and Co or the African history-makers.

Sporting News has all the latest team news and build-up.

3 hrs 35 from kickoff: All of Africa will be getting behind Morocco today, in their very first World Cup quarterfinal. Ghana, Tunisia, Senegal and Samuel Eto’o’s native Cameroon have all gone home but that hasn’t stopped the legendary ex-Barcelona striker cheering for Morocco. 

History is made 🇲🇦 The fourth African team to ever make it to the quarter finals. Bravo Morocco 👏🏿 pic.twitter.com/ciMb86D6uZ

— Samuel Eto’o (@SamuelEtoo) December 6, 2022

4 hrs 10 from kickoff: “A group too close to be broken by outside forces,” says Cristiano Ronaldo, hitting back at the intense scrutiny that has followed his nation. The CR7 circus ramped up in the countdown to Qatar 2022 with Ronaldo’s “betrayed” interview and subsequent termination of his Man United deal. The clamour didn’t die down in time for Qatar, meaning rumours and theories have swirled around Portugal and Ronaldo constantly. So far, their performances have been unaffected… 

Um grupo demasiado unido para ser quebrado por forças externas. Uma nação demasiado corajosa para se deixar atemorizar perante qualquer adversário. Uma equipa no verdadeiro sentido da palavra, que vai lutar pelo sonho até ao fim! Acreditem connosco! Força, Portugal!🇵🇹🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/gUeENXSB5F

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) December 8, 2022

4 hrs 30 from kickoff: In this World Cup of high drama and giant killing, Morocco are threatening to trump all fellow underdogs. History is on the line today, as victory for Hakim Ziyech and Co would crown Morocco as the first African nation to play a World Cup semifinal. Spain and Belgium have already fallen to the prowling Atlas Lions, are Portugal next?

5 hrs from kickoff: Cristiano Ronaldo continues his quest to win the one major trophy that has eluded him — and he might not even be in the starting lineup as Portugal take their next step. We’ll bring you all the latest from the World Cup quarterfinal between Morocco and the 2016 European champions.

𝕃𝕆𝔸𝔻𝕀ℕ𝔾… 🇵🇹 🆚 🇲🇦 #VesteABandeira #WearTheFlag pic.twitter.com/yrXYzZe5FP

— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) December 8, 2022

Morocco vs Portugal lineups, team news

After going to extra time and penalties last time out against Spain, Morocco’s starting XI will largely depend on how players recover.

If possible, coach Walid Regragui would have loved to stick the players that got the job done in the Round of 16 back out there. However, there are two important injuries to note.

The most notable name absent is full-back Noussair Mazraoui who hails from Bayern Munich at the club level, but was stretchered off late in the Round of 16 win over Spain. Critical midfielder Nayif Aguerd was also a doubt, having suffered a groin injury in the last match as well. They both miss out, unable to even make the bench, a big blow.

There were questions about captain Romain Saiss‘s health in regards to his hamstring, but he has proven fit to start.

Morocco confirmed lineup (4-3-3): 1. Bono (GK) — 2. Hakimi, 5. Aguerd, 6. Saiss, 25. Attiyah Allah — 8. Ounahi, 4. Amrabat, 15. Amallah — 7. Ziyech, 19. En-Nesyri, 17. Boufal

Cristiano Ronaldo again starts this one from the bench again after his replacement Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick against Switzerland. The 21-year-old keeps his spot up front, with the 37-year-old superstar on the bench.

Joao Cancelo was another who was benched last time out with Raphael Guerreiro and Diogo Dalot favoured in the fullback positions, and those two retain their spots.

Fernando Santos makes just one change from the Switzerland win, with Ruben Neves coming back into midfield in place of William Carvalho.

Portugal confirmed lineup (4-3-3): 22. Costa (GK) — 2. Dalot, 3. Pepe, 4. Dias, 5. Guerreiro — 25. Otavio, 18. Neves, 10. Silva — 8. Fernandes, 26. Ramos, 11. Felix

⏲ Chegou a HORA: Este é o nosso 11 Inicial para hoje! 👥🇵🇹 #VesteABandeira

⏲ It’s TIME: This is our Starting 11 for today! 👥 #WearTheFlag pic.twitter.com/i7N6khiFag

— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) December 10, 2022

Morocco vs Portugal live stream, TV channel

This quarterfinal match will be played at Al Thumama Stadium.

Here’s how you can watch all the action in some of the major global territories.