Cristiano Ronaldo had JUST TEN touches during Portugal’s 1-0 World Cup defeat to Morocco

Cristiano Ronaldo failed to have much impact during Portugal’s heartbreaking 1-0 World Cup defeat to Morocco, after coming off the bench to have just ten touches and one shot. 

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has influenced many huge matches throughout his career, but on a night where his national side needed him to produce, Ronaldo failed to find the back of the net despite having a huge chance in the 91st minute. 

It was heartbreak for the forward, who despite being on the field for 40 minutes, only managed to amass 10 touches and one shot, according to WhoScored.com.

Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured) had just ten touches during Portugal’s 1-0 WC loss to Morocco

Ronaldo’s only chance of the game came just after 90 minutes but was saved by Bono in goal

The 37-year-old left the pitch in floods of tears, after Portugal crashed out of the tournament, despite this being the furthest they’ve come at the World Cup since they finished fourth in 2006. 

But it was Youssef En Nesyri who orchestrated their departure, with the Moroccan forward burying a close-range header just before half-time which Goalkeeper Diogo Costa couldn’t quite keep out.   

 Youssef En Nesyri (pictured) scored the winning goal for Morocco against Portugal

It was a tough exit for Fernando Santos’ side, despite this being their best finish since 2006

After the break Fernando Santos decided to call his star forward into action, bringing Ronaldo on for Ruben Neves in the 51st minute, to equal the FIFA men’s international appearance record with his 196th cap.

Ronaldo had not started in either of Portugal’s last two World Cup matches, after Santos had substituted him during their 2-1 loss to South Korea, opting to play a more youthful forward line. 

That had reportedly produced some friction within the Portuguese camp, with Ronaldo so incensed by his manager’s decisions to omit him from the starting line-up, he threatened to ‘walk out’ of the Portugal camp.

Yet, he was called upon tonight to deliver for his national side, and despite scoring 118 goals for Portugal during a star-studded career that has seen him win one European Championship and the 2019 Nations League, had a limited impact during the match. 

Ronaldo’s (pictured) only chance came in the 92st minute but was saved by goalkeeper Bono

Distraught, the forward left the pitch in tears in what could be his final World Cup appearance

Despite ever being a presence inside the box, almost getting on the end of a couple of crosses, his biggest chance came in the 91st minute, but he was denied his 119th international goal, with Moroccan goalkeeper Bono palming his shot away with a huge block. 

The 37-year-old was understandably devastated after the final whistle, with 10-man Morocco making history to upset the odds against Portugal and advance to play one of either England or France in the semi-finals.