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The FIFA World Cup 2022 is on its 21st day.

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Good morning and welcome back from Jamaica.

At 6 p.m. on the second day of the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Portugal will play host to Morocco (15:00 GMT).

Follow all the most recent information both before and during the game right here.

Al Thumama Stadium was the location.

The capacity of Al Thumama Stadium, which is 12 kilometers south of the city center of Doha, is 44,400. The eighth and final game to be held at the stadium is Morocco vs. Portugal.

With two group-stage matches against Belgium and Canada under their belts, the Moroccan squad is no stranger to Al Thumama. This is Portugal’s inaugural match there.

What to know about today’s match

After stunning Spain 3-0 on penalties in a historic victory, the Atlas Lions could become the first Arab and African team to reach the semis. Their 2022 World Cup ride has electrified football fans in the region and united Arabs worldwide.

But Morocco, ranked 22nd by FIFA, enters Al Thumama Stadium as underdogs, playing a formidable ninth-ranked Portugal, who edged Ghana and outplayed Uruguay, before being upset by South Korea in Group H.

Even without Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal delivered a punishing and jaw-dropping 6-1 loss to Switzerland, largely due to a breakout hat-trick performance by 21-year-old Goncalo Ramos.

Morocco has not conceded a single goal after four games, apart from an own goal by Nayef Aguero.

The Ronaldo Factor

Does he start or is he again destined for the bench? It doesn’t help his case that the man who took his spot in the XI – Gonçalo Ramos – scored a hat trick in the Round of 16.

The Switzerland game was his briefest appearance for the national team since EURO 2004. Barring injuries and suspension, it was only the third time he was benched for Portugal in a competitive game.

Given the late drama we saw in both quarter-finals yesterday, Ronaldo could be the ultimate super-sub for Portugal if they are chasing a goal toward the end of the game.

Morocco has all the support but none of the pressure

Seeing the sea of red and green at their games, you’d think the World Cup was being played in Marrakech, not Doha. As the first Arab team to reach a quarter-final and the only remaining African team in the World Cup, the support for Morocco goes well beyond its borders.

Expectations are high but the pressure isn’t. Irrespective of what happens today, this Moroccan side will go down in history.

Carrying hopes of Africa, Morocco aims for World Cup semi-finals