Mario in for Portugal as Morocco bolster defence
A Portugal's fan chants as she arrives at the stadium prior to their 2018 World Cup Group B match against Morocco at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 20, 2018. PHOTO | KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV |
What you need to know:
- Morocco coach Herve Renard has attempted to counter the threat of the "absolutely exceptional" Ronaldo by going with a back four, as Manuel Da Costa comes into the side in central defence.
- Nabil Dirar slots in at right-back as Romain Saiss and Amine Harit drop to the bench, while Khalid Boutaib replaces Ayoub El Kaabi up front as Renard makes three changes to the side that lost 1-0 to Iran.
MOSCOW
Joao Mario takes the place of Bruno Fernandes in Portugal's midfield as coach Fernando Santos makes one change for Wednesday's Group B match against Morocco at the World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo will again line up alongside Goncalo Guedes in attack as the Real Madrid star seeks to build on his brilliant hat-trick in Portugal's 3-3 draw with Spain in their opening game.
Morocco coach Herve Renard has attempted to counter the threat of the "absolutely exceptional" Ronaldo by going with a back four, as Manuel Da Costa comes into the side in central defence.
Nabil Dirar slots in at right-back as Romain Saiss and Amine Harit drop to the bench, while Khalid Boutaib replaces Ayoub El Kaabi up front as Renard makes three changes to the side that lost 1-0 to Iran.
Starting line-ups for the World Cup match between Portugal and Morocco in Group B in Moscow on Wednesday (3pm kick-off):
Portugal (4-4-2)
Rui Patricio; Cedric, Pepe, Jose Fonte, Raphael Guerreiro; Joao Moutinho, William Carvalho, Joao Mario, Bernardo Silva; Goncalo Guedes, Cristiano Ronaldo (capt)
Coach: Fernando Santos (POR)
Morocco (4-2-3-1)
Monir El Kajoui; Nabil Dirar, Mehdi Benatia (capt), Manuel Da Costa, Achraf Hakimi; Mbark Boussoufa, Karim El Ahmadi; Nordin Amrabat, Younes Belhanda, Hakim Ziyach; Khalid Boutaib
Herve Renard (FRA)
Referee: Mark Geiger (USA)
