Mario In For Portugal As Morocco Bolster Defence

Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jun, 2018 ) :Joao Mario takes the place of Bruno Fernandes in Portugal's midfield as coach Fernando Santos makes one change for Wednesday's Group B match against Morocco at the World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo will again line up alongside Goncalo Guedes in attack as the Real Madrid star seeks to build on his brilliant hat-trick in Portugal's 3-3 draw with Spain in their opening game.

Morocco coach Herve Renard has attempted to counter the threat of the "absolutely exceptional" Ronaldo by going with a back four, as Manuel Da Costa comes into the side in central defence.

Nabil Dirar slots in at right-back as Romain Saiss and Amine Harit drop to the bench, while Khalid Boutaib replaces Ayoub El Kaabi up front as Renard makes three changes to the side that lost 1-0 to Iran.

Starting line-ups for the World Cup match between Portugal and Morocco in Group B in Moscow on Wednesday (1200 GMT kick-off): Portugal (4-4-2) Rui Patricio; Cedric, Pepe, Jose Fonte, Raphael Guerreiro; Joao Moutinho, William Carvalho, Joao Mario, Bernardo Silva; Goncalo Guedes, Cristiano Ronaldo (capt) Coach: Fernando Santos (POR) Morocco (4-2-3-1) Monir El Kajoui; Nabil Dirar, Mehdi Benatia (capt), Manuel Da Costa, Achraf Hakimi; Mbark Boussoufa, Karim El Ahmadi; Nordin Amrabat, Younes Belhanda, Hakim Ziyach; Khalid Boutaib Herve Renard (FRA) Referee: Mark Geiger (USA)afp