Only another match-up must be finalised earlier than the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals are locked in.
In the final day of spherical of 16 motion in Qatar, Morocco performs Spain at 2am on Wednesday morning in a recreation Spain will likely be favoured to win.
In the opposite recreation, all eyes will likely be on Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s conflict in opposition to Switzerland at 6am Australian time.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos stated he was unimpressed with Ronaldo’s behaviour after the ahead reacted angrily when substituted in the course of the staff’s ultimate group recreation on the World Cup in Qatar.
Ronaldo initially stated he was “insulted” by a South Korean participant as he was substituted within the second half of his aspect’s 2-1 defeat to the Asian aspect on Friday.
But Portuguese media have proven photographs that counsel he used vulgar language in response to Santos’s determination.
Asked how he had reacted to these photographs, Santos informed a news convention: “I didn’t like it at all. I didn’t like it at all.”
But he stated a line had been drawn below the incident.
“Then these matters are resolved, resolved in-house,” he stated.
“They are over. It is the end of the story regarding this issue and now we’re thinking about the game tomorrow and everyone is fully focused on the match preparations.”
Ronaldo’s beginning position within the staff stays a sizzling subject amongst Portugal followers, with a ballot in native newspaper A Bola discovering 70 per cent of Portuguese don’t need him within the beginning XI.
But Santos stated he was not listening to the talk or on-line polls on the problem.
“I do not read this type of material,” he stated.
“It is not a lack of respect, it is simply that we have three days to train for a game and I am not looking at other kinds of news. We focus on the upcoming match.”
Santos stated he anticipated an in depth contest in opposition to Switzerland.
Portugal beat the Swiss 4-0 within the UEFA Nations League in June earlier than shedding 1-0 within the reverse fixture.
If Spain and Portugal win as predicted, the final eight groups within the event will all be European and South American nations.
Victories to Spain and Portugal would arrange a mouth-watering match-up between the neighbouring nations within the quarterfinals.
Croatia vs Brazil, Netherlands vs Argentina and England vs France are the three quarterfinals already confirmed.
Originally printed as Calls for Ronaldo to be dumped for essential Portugal World Cup conflict
