WORLD CUP 2018: 'Unimpressive' Portugal crawl past Morocco

No, Portugal as a team aren't 'unimpressive'. They have some really talented players who won the UEFA Euro 2016, and of course, have CRISTIANO RONALDO. Yet, for all the stardom and talent within their ranks, their performance against Morocco on Wednesday was nothing short of dismal.

Portugal won the match 1-0, and have all but confirmed their place to the next round. Yet, they would be asking themselves after the match, 'did we really win?'

They took the lead lead through none other than Ronaldo in the fourth minute. It was a training ground routine, which was executed perfectly. A corner was taken short, and Moutinho put in a peach of a cross. And there was Ronaldo, to score his and his country's fourth goal of the tournament.

It seemed an easy win will be on the cards for Portugal, and Morocco will crumble under pressure. But the events which followed were unbelievable. Morocco dominated the possession, had the more number of chances, and that too clear cut ones. It seemed, they were the reigning Euro champions, and Portugal were the underdogs.

After the goal, Portugal dropped deep, and allowed the Morocco attackers to pressurize them. Hakim Ziyech, Younes Belhanda and Nordin Amrabat produced stunning display, terrorizing the Portugese defense. 

Ziyech, wearing the No.7, was particularly brilliant. He started on the left side, but was moving all over the pitch. His quick feet, pace and dribbling was too much to handle for the opposition at times.

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Breaking through the Portugese defense was a tough task, and it proved so. But whenever Morocco went past them, they found an inspirational Rui Patricio in front of goal, who was in sumptuous form.

On the other hand, Ronaldo and co. hardly saw the ball, and struggled to create any clear cut chance since the goal. Ronaldo was particularly anonymous and poor, with his passing and link-up play wayward.

The Portugese midfield was overrun by their opposition, as Al Ahmadi and Boussoufa were all over them. But, for all the dominance with the ball, the only thing lacked was the final product. 

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By the end of the match, Morocco dominated the possession 56-44, and created 16 chances, as compared to 10 by Portugal. This match showed the importance of finishing. 

Portugal will claim at the end, they got the three points. But there will hardly be anyone who denies that the result was a 'steal' for them.