Cristiano Ronaldo’s chances of ever winning soccer’s top reward were essentially ended on Saturday as Morocco defeated Portugal 1-0 to advance as the first African nation to the World Cup quarterfinals.
The winning goal was scored by Youssef En-Nesyri in the 42nd minute, continuing Morocco’s incredible run that has inspired a surge of patriotism throughout the Arab world during the first World Cup to be held in the Middle East.
One of soccer’s greatest players, 37-year-old Ronaldo, didn’t start for the second game in a row but entered the game as a replacement in the 51st minute and wasted a chance to tie the score in stoppage time.
Without winning the World Cup or ever reaching the championship game, the five-time world player of the year is expected to retire.