Appreciate the relentless mindset of Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal's 1-0 win over Morocco

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  • Morocco were the first team to fall out of the World Cup after a Cristiano Ronaldo bullet header consigned them to a second straight 1-0 defeat.

    The Portugal superstar moved ahead of Hungarian great Ferenc Puskas to become the highest scoring European in international football with his 85th goal in 152 appearances.

    The 33-year-old’s brave header from a fourth-minute corner was enough to secure all three points, although, the Euro 2016 champions were fortunate to survive a Moroccan onslaught with their profligacy either side of the half condemning them to an undeserving defeat.

    Here, we examine some of the key takeaways from the clash.

    RELENTLESS RONALDO

    Portugal v Morocco: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

    Portugal keep winning, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to score – see the trend here?

    Put aside the constant and, let’s face it, tedious debate surrounding the entwined legacy of both Ronaldo and his great rival Lionel Messi for a moment, and just respect the Portuguese’s goalscoring greatness.

    His relentless pursuit of breaking every record on the book should be appreciated in equal light to any dazzling dribble or sumptuous strike.

    Ronaldo plays every game, every minute and every second with a mission in mind and he always delivers.

    His fourth-minute header was balletic and brutal as Morocco centre-back Manuel da Costa was intricately sliced away from his tight marking by a clever dart before Ronaldo finished with precision.

    In truth, he could have added to his tally of four goals in two World Cup 2018 games. A swift swivel moments later opened up space on the left but he dragged the finish just wide.

    Another opportunity arrived after the break when he spanked a shot from outside the box well over the bar and there were was to be no Spain set-piece repeat as two efforts crashed against the wall.

    But within that lies the beauty of Ronaldo. He will always persist to create more, to shoot more and inevitably score more. There is no deviation away from that driven mindset, regardless of the pressure, occasion or minute.

    Portugal, outside of goalkeeper Rui Patricio, were poor. The midfield went missing  and was dreadfully exposed. The Atlas Lions pounced to every loose ball and dispossessed them with ease.

    It was ugly at times, but just like Real Madrid they produced the result which mattered most, and both do so because they have Ronaldo.

    ZEAL OF ZIYECH

    Portugal v Morocco: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

    Messi and Ronaldo correctly dominated the pre-tournament build-up for the casual audience but it’s a real disservice to ignore the undisputed quality which lies with some of the smaller nations.

    Hakim Ziyech is one of those talents.

    The 25-year-old arrived in Russia fresh from the best season of his career with Ajax, notching an Eredivisie high of 15 assists and plundering a further nine goals.

    He’s developed a reputation as one of the most electric forwards in Dutch football and that Ziyech wears the maroon of the Morocco and not Oranje is cause of great frustration for his country of birth.

    Not for the neutral, however, with Ziyech able to display his precocious ability against Portugal.

    While he bubbled in the disappointing defeat to Iran, it was against a wide-open Seleccao das Quinas, the attacker was brought to the boil, leaving onlookers frothing with a delightful display of courage and flair.

    He stepped up for Morocco, was central to their enterprising play – the North Africans had more touches in Portugal’s half than Spain – and showed steel to his cutting-edge play.

    There was care in his passing, authority in his dribbles through the middle while his delivery from set-pieces was wicked.

    Morocco’s best chance of an equaliser arrived from one of his whipped in left-footed free-kicks as Younes Belhanda connected with a good header which Patricio just about pawed away.

    He, too, forced an expert block from Pepe late on after a slick drive into the box. His 87 touches, 14 crosses and four key passes were a game high. Only Ronaldo had more shots and Nordin Amrabat more dribbles.

    It’s a shame Morocco and their star man have departed Russia early.

    PORTUGAL BLEND IS OFF

    FBL-WC-2018-MATCH19-POR-MAR

    Goncalo Guedes was chosen to partner Ronaldo once more despite the drop off from his Valencia performances against Spain and again he struggled.

    The 21-year-old was not alone, though.

    Bernardo Silva, who at least operated in his familiar position on the right as opposed to Guedes switching centrally having been used on the left last season, was dreadful and deservedly hooked on the hour mark.

    Joao Mario replaced Bruno Fernandes on the opposite side in the XI but was just as ineffectual. Fernando Santos is fortunate to have Ronaldo in his ranks but the Portuguese boss has to solve the ineptitude of those around the captain.

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