credit: Twitter
Portugal are scheduled to face Morocco in the FIFA World Cup 2022 quarterfinal on Saturday night to reach the last four stage for the first time since the 2006 World Cup. However, Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo is doubtful to start the quarterfinal game after being replaced by Goncalo Ramos in the starting lineup for the Switzerland clash.
Ronaldo, who will turn 38 after two months, started on the bench against Switzerland in the Round of 16 match while his replacement Goncalo Ramos proved to be the perfect choice as he scored the first hattrick in the FIFA World Cup 2022 in his first start for Portugal.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo is currently struggling to find the back of the net in the FIFA World Cup 2022 as the all-time top International goal scorer has scored just one goal in the quadrennial showpiece. Earlier, Ronaldo was left on the bench in the Premier League by Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag followed by Portugal boss Fernando Santos decision to start the legendary striker on the bench.
Santos brought Ronaldo into the game for Joao Felix in the 73rd minute and substituted Bruno Fernandes in the 87th minute with Rafael Leao, who scored the sixth goal for Portugal after five minutes of his appearance. Cristiano Ronaldo found the back of the net in the 84th minute, however, he was offside and failed to score his first knockout stage goal at the FIFA World Cup.
Reportedly, Cristiano Ronaldo trained with the substitutes ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2022 quarterfinal fixture against Morocco on Saturday night.
Morocco displayed tremendous defending performance against Spain to force the match into penalties to ultimately win the game. Considering that Portugal need an in form striker to dominate the game in early stage against the African side and Goncalo Ramos has become the first choice for the Portuguese coach.