Ronaldo's header secures Portugal an undeserving victory over Morocco

Following his hat-trick heroics against Spain, Cristiano Ronaldo has the tournament's Golden Boot in sight and it didn't take long for him to make an impact against Morocco. 

From a corner in the fourth minute, Portugal took it short but quickly whipped it in, surprising their opposition who failed to pick up the Real Madrid forward, leaving him open to easily head the ball into the back of the net for his fourth goal in two World Cup games.

It meant Ronaldo's international tally moved onto 85, breaking the record held by Hungary's Ferenc Puskas.

However, the goal didn't overawe Morocco who fought back by chasing every ball relentlessly and pressuring a complacent Portugal and they arguably looked the better side for the rest of the half.

They found lots of luck down the right wing targeting Raphael Guerreiro, who failed to contain the threat of Nordin Amrabat, but their finishing lacked quality and it's what has ultimately held them back in Russia.

Despite the goal, Portugal too lacked some clinical accuracy up front and should have been two goals up through Goncalo Guedes.

Ronaldo played Guedes through on the goal and the youngster opted to fire a half-volley but opposing goalkeeper Munir Mohand Mohamedi stood tall and got an important hand to push the shot away from danger.

It meant Morocco only went into the break trailing by one goal and still had a great chance of getting something from the game in the second half.

Nonetheless, it was Portugal who came out all guns blazing after the restart, enjoying two great opportunity.

The first was a carbon copy of their goal, instead this time the ball found Jose Fonte in the box who headed his effort wide of the target.

Then it was Ronaldo's turn to fluff his lines. Portugal took a quick free-kick and countered away at goal. Guedes played through Joao Mario who returned the favour but the youngster scuffed his shot sideways. It teed up perfectly for Ronaldo to hit but he skied his effort into Row Z.

After the early onslaught, the game returned to its first-half theme: Morocco dominating but lacking that cutting edge up front. 

They had ample opportunities to return parity and did put opposing goalkeeper Rui Patricio under the cosh with two chances in two minutes.

Younes Belhanda skipped free in the box and unleashed a powerful shot at goal, forcing a good save from Rui Patricio who then almost fumbled it into danger.

Straight after, the attacking midfielder had another chance, getting on the end of a floating ball with his head. He directed his effort low but Rui Patricio was again there to parry away.

Despite their attempts, Morocco couldn't find the breakthrough amid some last-ditch defending from Portugal and fell to another undeserving 1-0 defeat which no doubt seals their exit from the competition. 

As for their opposition, the victory takes Fernando Santos' side above Iran to top Group B ahead of their rival's match against Spain this evening, but there will no doubt be questions raised over another lacklustre team performance which required Ronaldo to come to their rescue again.