Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo’s fourth goal of tournament ends Morocco’s campaign

CRISTIANO Ronaldo made European soccer history by scoring in Portugal’s 1-0 win over Morocco, but victory was overshadowed by the Real Madrid striker’s play-acting with fans labelling him a cheat.

Ronaldo and his people. Picture: AFP

CRISTIANO Ronaldo made European soccer history by scoring in Portugal’s 1-0 win over Morocco but victory was overshadowed by the Real Madrid striker’s play-acting.

The resulat also made the North African team the first to be eliminated from the World Cup.

Ronaldo’s header in the fourth minute was his fourth goal at this year’s tournament, and his 85th for his country. That put him ahead of Hungary great Ferenc Puskas and alone in second place worldwide behind Ali Daei’s 109 goals for Iran.

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But it was an incident late on in the match that sent social media into a meltdown, Ronaldo dribbling theough the Morroccan defence before falling to the ground in Oscar-winning fashion.

Replays showed there had been no contact whatsoever however the Portuguese star motioned to officials that he wanted the “incident” reviewed by VAR.

Ronaldo’s blatant dive against Morocco. pic.twitter.com/NrGvhmwKPL

— Juan (@_JD214_) June 20, 2018

Ronaldo and his people. Picture: AFP

Irrespective, Ronaldo’s goal was enough to end his opponent’s campaign.

“I’m very happy. The most important thing was to win the game and to get the three points,” Ronaldo said after his fourth-minute strike in Moscow decided a hard-fought contest.

“We knew if we lost we could be out. We knew Morocco would be giving their all. It was a surprise at the start because they were so strong.

“I managed to score a goal, it was great for me.”

“I managed to score a goal, it was great for me.” Portugal face Iran in their final group game on June 25 in Saransk. “Our expectation is to continue our work and try to improve in the group phase,” Ronaldo said.

Portuguese star Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira ComM, known better as “Pepe”, was brutally shamed on social media for taking a dive late in the second half after being touched on the shoulder by Morocco captain Mehdi Benatia.

See Pepe is still a dick.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 20, 2018

How about showing what a cheat Ronaldo is instead of glorifying him ALL the time. He was worse than Pepe!

— Lyn Mumford (@southviewlyn) June 20, 2018

Remembering when football was good and people didn't idolise divers and cheats #Ronaldo #Pepe #WorldCup

— Steve Charlton (@steven_LFC5) June 20, 2018

Only Ronaldo would dive and then ask for it to be checked by VAR 🤣

— Golovin FC (@MagnificoMorata) June 20, 2018

I absolutely detest Christian Ronaldo. He's a cheat, his penalty was a dive. He should have been booked at minimum for simulation if not sent off. Once a cheat, always a cheat #PORESP

— Phil (@NorwichDevils75) June 15, 2018

VAR reply of Ronaldo’s dive! pic.twitter.com/Jxd9x7CiQ6

— Football Stands (@TheFootyStands) June 20, 2018

Cristiano Ronaldo (L) celebrates with teammates after heading home the eventual winner. Picture: AFP

“We’re almost there (knockout stages) and then we’ll see. We’ll take things match after match. We will try to come first in the group.”

Ronaldo was not the only Portuguese player causing controversy. Former England striker Gary Linekar slamme Pepe for his antic and labelled him a “d*ckhead”.

OMG Pepe. pathetic. grow up man

— John Arne Riise (@JARiiseOfficial) June 20, 2018

Pepe is the best. pic.twitter.com/OfhbyeIucc

— Jimmy Conrad (@JimmyConrad) June 20, 2018

The North Africans had several chances against Portugal, nearly all from set pieces, and three of them came in a five-minute spell early in the second half. Younes Belhanda was twice denied by goalkeeper Rui Patricio’s diving saves, and defender Mehdi Benatia scooped a shot over the bar.

In injury time, Benatia lifted another shot too high with an even clearer chance.

The goal moved the 33-year-old Ronaldo ahead of Ferenc Puskas, another Real Madrid great who scored his last goal for Hungary in 1956. He is alone in second place worldwide behind Ali Daei’s 109 goals for Iran.

Rui Patricio produced the save of the tournament so far. Picture: Getty

“He has a great coach,” Portugal coach Fernando Santos said through a translator, laughing when asked about Ronaldo. “He’s like a port wine. He knows how to refine his capacity and age at his best.” Ronaldo’s four goals top the individual scoring chart at this year’s World Cup. Buoyed by his hat trick in a 3-3 draw against Spain on Friday, including a spectacular free kick late in the game, Ronaldo scored against Morocco with his first meaningful touch of the match.

He was too strong for marker Manuel Da Costa and found space in the goalmouth to meet Joao Moutinho’s cross following a short corner.

Ronaldo had two more free kick chances, each from less than 20 yards (meters). But both were blocked by a solid wall of defenders as the Portuguese ground out a result from an often poor display, much like it did two years ago on its run to the European Championship title.

There were 42 fouls in the match, and only two Portuguese shots on target. Most of the best play came from Morocco, but the North Africans now have no chance of advancing from the group stage after a second straight 1-0 loss. Morocco had enough scoring chances, nearly all from set pieces, and three came in a five-minute spell early in the second half. Younes Belhanda was twice denied by goalkeeper Rui Patricio’s diving saves, and defender Mehdi Benatia scooped a shot over the bar.

In stoppage time, Benatia lifted another shot too high with an even clearer chance.

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Originally published as Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo’s fourth goal of tournament ends Morocco’s campaign