Cristiano Ronaldo seeks repeat of hat-trick against 'battle-hardened' Morocco

It will be just second meeting between two countries, after Morocco beat Portugal 3-1 in group stage at 1986 finals

Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo attends a training session at the team's base in Kratovo, outside Moscow, on June 19, 2018, on the eve of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group B football match between Portugal and Morocco. Francisco Leong / AFP

Portugal's Andre Silva plays the ball with teammates during Portugal's official training on the eve of the group B match between Portugal and Morocco at the 2018 soccer World Cup, in Kratovo, outskirts Moscow, Russia, on June 19, 2018. Francisco Seco / AP Photo

Portugal's Pepe controls the ball during Portugal's official training on the eve of the group B match between Portugal and Morocco at the 2018 soccer World Cup, in Kratovo, outskirts Moscow, Russia, on June 19, 2018. Francisco Seco / AP Photo

From left, Portugal's Andre Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Cedri Soares, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Pepe during the training session at the Kratovo training camp, which will be the Team Base Camp during the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia, Ramensky, Moscow, Russia, on June 19, 2018. Paulo Novais / EPA

Portugal's national team player Gelson Martins during the training session at the Kratovo training camp, which will be the Team Base Camp during the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia, Ramensky, Moscow, Russia, on June 19, 2018. Paulo Novais / EPA

Portugal's forward Andre Silva attends a training session at the team's base in Kratovo, outside Moscow, on June 19, 2018, on the eve of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group B football match between Portugal and Morocco. Francisco Leong / AFP

Portugal's national team player Ricardo Pereira during the training session at the Kratovo training camp, which will be the Team Base Camp during the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia, Ramensky, Moscow, Russia, on June 19, 2018. Paulo Novais / EPA

Portugal's coach Fernando Santos leads a training session at the team's base in Kratovo, outside Moscow, on June 19, 2018, on the eve of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group B football match between Portugal and Morocco. Francisco Leong / AFP

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo attends a training session at the team's base in Kratovo, outside Moscow, on June 19, 2018, on the eve of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group B football match between Portugal and Morocco. Francisco Leong / AFP

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, left, plays the ball with teammates during Portugal's official training on the eve of the group B match between Portugal and Morocco at the 2018 soccer World Cup, in Kratovo, outskirts Moscow, Russia, on June 19, 2018. Francisco Seco / AP Photo

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma during training. Albert Gea / Reuters

Portugal's Pepe during training. Albert Gea / Reuters

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo attends a training session at the team's base in Kratovo, outside Moscow, on June 19, 2018, on the eve of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group B football match between Portugal and Morocco. Francisco Leong / AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo will attempt to follow up his World Cup opening game heroics for Portugal against a Morocco side licking their wounds after a crushing last-gasp defeat.

A hat-trick from the five-time world player of the year snatched a thrilling 3-3 draw for the European champions against Spain in a heavyweight Group B showdown in Sochi.

It was Ronaldo's 51st career hat-trick, and the 51st in the tournament's history, as the Real Madrid star became just the fourth player to score in four World Cups.

"I am very happy, it's a nice personal record to have, one more in my career," Ronaldo said. "For me the most important thing is to emphasise what the team did against one of the favourites to win this World Cup."

Despite lifting the trophy at Euro 2016, Portugal are not widely viewed as among the favourites in Russia but can take a big step towards the last 16 with victory over Morocco in Moscow on Wednesday.

"I think we are stronger than Morocco if we compare the two teams, but I'm not saying the game will be easy for us," striker Andre Silva said at Portugal's training base.

"We cannot underestimate them and must have respect for any opponent. Any game at the World Cup is difficult."

It will be just the second meeting between the two countries, after Morocco beat Portugal 3-1 in the group stage at the 1986 finals.

Morocco did not concede a single goal in the final qualifying round as they sealed a return to the World Cup for the first time in 20 years, but their knockout hopes hang by a thread after a 95th-minute own goal by Aziz Bouhaddouz against Iran.

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'We're not dead'

Herve Renard's men face a monumental challenge, with games to come against Portugal and Spain, but midfielder Faycal Fajr is adamant all is not lost for the Atlas Lions.

"If I said that we don't believe we can qualify it would be a lie," said Fajr, one of 17 players born abroad in Morocco's 23-man squad.

"I could throw out some examples, like the Argentina draw [1-1 with Iceland]. Where there's a will there's a way. [The Portuguese] have two feet, two legs and they are humans like us."

"We lost a battle but we haven't lost the war. We're not dead," he added.

Renard lamented that Morocco were "crucified by our own errors" in the loss to Iran, but the Frenchman is used to defying the odds, having led outsiders Zambia to a surprise triumph at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

He then became the first manager to win the continental title with two different teams three years later, guiding the Ivory Coast to glory.

Morocco will need Renard to conjure up more magic to prevent an early exit, although Fajr says the mood in the camp remains positive.

"Even after the defeat, the atmosphere was terrific," he said. "We've been waiting for this moment for 20 years, all Moroccans have been waiting for this for 20 years. We're one big family."