Ronaldo's fourth World Cup 2018 goal knocks Morocco out; As it happened

Hello and welcome to the highlights of Group B fixture between Portugal and Morocco from the Luzhniki Stadium in Russia.

With the three points they collected in Moscow, Portugal are on top of the group. Check out the Group B table here. 

Later in the day, group leaders Iran take on former champions Spain in what promises to be an exciting encounter. 

Morocco had better numbers throughout the game but were unable to find the back of the net. 

Cristiano Ronaldo is once again the difference between Portugal and their opponents. This time, his only goal ends Morocco's World Cup campaign. 

Ronaldo opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a brilliant header but it was all Morocco after that. They were the better team for the most part of the match but were unable to get the decisive goal. 

Ziyach and Amrabat were brilliant from the flanks as they created numerous opportunities for the Morrocans. However, the North African side was woeful with their finishing. 

Even after 16 attempts and four on target, Moroccans were not able to get level with Portugal. Rui Patricio made a couple of brilliant saves but the likes of Belhanda and captain Benatia spurned numerous chances. 

 Plenty of emotions in the Moroccan camp but they didn't deserve to win this, given the number of chances they missed. 

Five minutes for Morocco to save their campaign. Some tense moments between the two teams here. 

Pepe came to the team's rescue this team after Ziyach shot from 10 years out. Crucial save and the veteran is pumped. 

Ronaldo hit the free-kick straight into the wall and claimed a penalty after falling down inside the box. The 33-year-old signalled for a VAR but he wouldn't want to see that again. He was lucky to have escaped a card. 

Free-kick from a dangerous position for Portugal. Moroccan captain brings down Ronaldo just outisde the box. The Real Madrid star is gearing up to take it. 

Ziyach delivers a lovely ball towards the near post but captain Benatia heads it wide.  Portugal are managing to get away with all these. It might just be their day. 

The North African side need to find a goal now. With only 13 minutes on the clock, they cannot afford to leave it to the last. 

Morocco win a crucial free-kick just outside the box after Raphael Guerreiro's foul. Ziyach took the shot, a left-footer that went comfortably over the bar. 

The African side have had so many good buildups with Amrabat, Ziyach and Belhanda working hard. However, their finishing has not been up to the mark. Rui Patricio is also having a good day between the sticks for Portugal. 

Notably, Morocco will be out if they lose today. Certainly, deserve to at least live another day in Russia. 

Portugal replace Bernardo Silva with Gelson Martins

Moroccans are threatening more and more. Ziyach curls one in from the left and Belhanda send down a strong header. But Rui Patricio makes a brilliant save to deny the equaliser. 

Earlier, Amrabat fed the Morrocan No. 10 from the right. Belhanda's powerful shot though went straight to Patricio. 

Are we going to see a Morrocan equaliser soon? 

Portugal have a corner as early as in the third minute after the break. Joao Moutinho takes a short corner and Jose Fonte heads it wide off the post before the flag was raised. 

Morocco resume their search for the equaliser. Can they get it? They were impressive in the first-half barring their inability to convert their chances. 

Cristiano Ronaldo's fourth-minute header separates the two teams at the break. The Real Madrid forward headed one into the net as early as in the fourth minute to top the goal-scorer's list in the ongoing tournament. 

Morocco though relentlessly searched for the equaliser after falling behind early. Belhanda had a good opportunity towards the close of the first-half when he met Ziyach's cross inside the box. The powerful header went wide of the near post. 

Morocco, in fact, have had more attempts on goal (8-5) and as many corners as Portugal have had in the first 45 minutes. Can they finally manage to finish well in the second half? 

Portugal, like the first game against Spain, haven't worried a lot about possession, but have been more impressive in the final third. Guedes had a good opportunity to double the lead in the 40th minute but El Kajoui's quick reflexes denied Fernando Santos' men double joy in the first-half. 

Morocco have been relentlessly trying to get the equaliser. They have another three minutes to go into the break on level terms. 

Portugal nearly add another one to their tally. Ronaldo chests down a long ball outside the box and lifts it to find Guedes. The forward's takes a shot but the Moroccan goalkeeper shows some wonderful reflexes to tap the ball out of danger.  

Ronaldo gets a free-kick just outside the penalty area. It was from here he had scored the wonder goal against Spain a couple of days ago. This time he hits it straight into the Morrocan wall. 

The Morrocan supporters at the Luzhniki Stadium are buzzing. Raphael Guerreiro puts a lot of pressure on Ambrabat who is trying to cut into the box. The Morrocan winger goes down, but referee denies. 

Mehdi Benatia is being warned by the referee after he brought down Ronaldo near the half-line in a bid to win a pass. The Moroccan also stepped on his the leading goal-scorer's ankle. 

An early goal has not dampened Morocco's spirits. They are starting to ask questions of the Portuguese defence. Ziyach from the left and right-back Dirar, who is frequently making the run up the field, are creating chances for the African side.  

Cristiano Ronaldo has needed only five shots to get four goals. He has also broken a European record with the latest one. Check them out here. 

Morocco nearly equalise. Ziyach's corner is met with a strong shot towards the near post by Da Costa. Rui Patricio does well to save that one. It remains 1-0 at the end of the first 12 minutes. 

Goal! Cristiano Ronaldo is the man for Portugal again. He needs only four minutes to put his team ahead. 

Another corner for Portugal and this time Bernardo Silva takes it short. Joao Moutinho delivers a brilliant cross and Ronaldo dives to head it in. 

He is now on top of the goal-scorer's list in Russia. Four goals in just five attempts. 

Portugal get the first corner of the match. Bernando Silva tried to deliver one into the box from the left but it gets deflected off the defender. 

Morocco have got the game underway at the Luzhniki Stadium. They have delivered an early cross but nothing came off it. Some early pressure from the African nation. 

Did you know? Portugal lost their only game against an African nation at the World Cup in 1986 in Mexico and the defeat came against Iran. 

Players from both sides are waiting at the tunnel to get on the turf. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo is wearing a relaxed look. Crucial game for both the teams. 

Ronaldo is also leading the race for the Golden Boot after his hat-trick on Saturday. Russia's Denis Cheryshev is tied on goals with the Real Madrid superstar. Can the Portugal captain add to his tally today?

Fernando Santos has made only one change to the line-up that started in their 3-3 draw against Spain. Joao Mario replaces winger Bruno Fernandes. 

It seems Portugal are going to press Morocco, who displayed excellent organisational skills at the back against Iran. They were gutted after conceding a late own-goal. 

What has happened so far in matches hosted by the Luzhniki Stadium?

Another upset on the cards? The ongoing edition of the quadrennial tournament has not been kind to the big boys. Portugal though will be hoping for Ronaldo magic once again. 

Morocco left St. Petersburg with a broken heart on June 15 as substitute Aziz Bouhaddouz had scored an own goal in the injury time to hand Iran three points.

Herve Renard's side cannot afford another defeat as it will all but end their World Cup campaign.

Portugal are heading into the match after clinching a point against former champions Spain in a six-goal thriller last week. Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was on top of his game, scoring his 51st international hat-trick, which included a late equaliser, an expertly taken free-kick from just outside the box.

The European champions though need to win the upcoming tie if they are to secure an easy passage into the last-16 of the tournament. With Spain taking on group leaders Iran later in the night, the race for the top spot is also on.

We're an hour away from the start of the match. Meanwhile, check out the confirmed line-ups below. 

Portugal: Rui Patricio; Cedric, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro; B.Silva, William Carvalho, Moutinho, Joao Mario; C.Ronaldo, Guedes.

Morocco: Munir; Dirar, Benatia, Da Costa, Achraf; Belhanda, El Ahmadi, Boussoufa; Amrabat, Boutaib, Ziyech.

 Geiger Mark of the USA will be the referee for the match.