Morocco-Portugal, probable formations

Likely lineups

After the hard-fought round passes of Croatia and Argentina (both winners on penalties against Brazil and the Netherlands, respectively), the other two Qatar 2022 semifinalists are decided on Saturday, Dec. 10, with the match between Morocco and Portugal opening the day at 4 p.m. Italian time at Doha’s Al Thumama Stadium.

Morocco wants to continue to impress after topping the group with Croatia and Belgium as first runners-up and eliminating Spain after shots from the penalty spot: already reaching the quarterfinals represents a record for the North African national team, which compared to the Lusitanians seems to have much less to lose.

Portugal, however, is back from the incredible 6-1 infliction on Switzerland: as against the Swiss, coach Fernando Santos should give space to Gonçalo Ramos (author of 3 of the 6 goals) in place of Cristiano Ronaldo, whose fate again seems to be to start from the bench barring any last-second surprises.

Likely lineups.

MOROCCO (4-3-3): Bono; Hakimi, El Yamiq, Saiss, Mazraoui; Amallah, Amrabat, Ounahi; Ziyech, En Nesyri, Boufal. Ct. Regragui.

PORTUGAL (4-3-3): Diogo Costa; Dalot, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Guerreiro; William Carvalho, Otavio, Bruno Fernandes; Joao Felix, Gonçalo Ramos, Bernardo Silva. Ct. Fernando Santos.