Portugal 1Morocco 0 : Cristiano Ronaldo scores winner to earn World Cup victory

CRISTIANO RONALDO’s fourth goal of the tournament was enough to give Portugal a 1-0 win over Morocco in their World Cup Group B match in Moscow. Portugal can look forward to a game against Iran, knowing they have one foot in the last 16, while the North Africans have only pride to play for against Spain.

Having waited 20 years for a fifth appearance at a World Cup, fans of the Lions of the Atlas have travelled here in large and loud number. The pre-match singing contest was a walkover.

Unfortunately, their heroes started this game as they finished the last against Iran by conceding a header from a corner in the fourth minute.

Real Madrid star Ronaldo produced a brave header as he flung himself in front of Morocco striker Khalid Boutaib's raised foot to power the ball past Monir El Kajoui.

After his hat-trick against Spain, this was Ronaldo's 85th goal in international football and he is now second on the all-time list behind Iranian Ali Daei, who has scored a remarkable 109 goals.

And that, in many ways, was the story of the first half. The European champions did not do much but what they did create always involved Ronaldo.

He nearly scored another with a neat turn and shot five minutes later, set Goncalo Guedes up for a chance that El Kajoui saved well just before the break and generally strutted around like he owned the Luzhniki Stadium.

He was also twice booted in the air, earning Karim El Ahmadi and captain Mehdi Benatia yellow cards.