Cristiano Ronaldo scored the only goal of the game CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

Ronaldo's Portugal kick out Morocco from World Cup

graphic.com.gh Sports News Jun - 20 - 2018 , 14:33

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his fourth goal of the 2018 World Cup 2018 but his team were deeply fortunate to secure three points against Group B opponents Morocco in Moscow.

The Real Madrid striker headed home a fourth-minute corner to give his side the lead at the Luzhniki Stadium, but the final score of 1-0 did not reflect the balance of play.

Ronaldo's goal makes him the second-highest goalscorer in men's international football and, in the process, earn Portugal a nervy 1-0 win over Morocco.

The Real Madrid star followed up his hattrick against Spain on Friday with a fourth-minute header which was his 85th goal for his country in 152 games.

No other European player has scored as many as the Portuguese and only Ali Daei, with 109 goals for Iran, is above him in the scoring charts.

The result means Morocco are the first team to be eliminated from this year's tournament.

Morocco dominated for the majority of the game, pushing their opponents back into their own half and a performance reminiscent of their dour, but ultimately victorious, Euro 2016 campaign.

Nordin Amrabat impressed in attack for Morocco, and a superb save from Rui Patricio after a Younes Belhanda header helped keep Portugal ahead.

Juventus's Medhi Benatia also spurned a good chance for Herve Renard's side to pull level but Portugal did enough to hold on for the win, albeit without winning any hearts and minds.