For the second straight match, Portugal rode their luck as an early Cristiano Ronaldo goal proved decisive in a barely deserved win against Morocco.
Only a rock-solid display of goalkeeping by Rui Patricio kept the Africans at bay, and coach Fernando Santos knows his team have to improve vastly if they are to make an impact at this tournament.
Positives
Goalkeeper Patricio continues to prove he has the temperament and the talent for the big occasion, centre-backs Pepe and Jose Fonte looked more like the impenetrable partnership they were at Euro 2016 and Ronaldo added another victim to the endless list of teams powerless to prevent him from scoring.
Negatives
Left-back Raphael Guerreiro missed almost the entire second half of the season through injury and his rustiness showed. He was defensively porous all match.
Elsewhere, extravagantly talented midfield stars Bernardo Silva, Joao Mario and Bruno Fernandes have all succumbed to big-stage nerves so far at Russia 2018.
Manager rating out of 10
5 -- Despite calls to ring the changes, Santos only made one alteration from the opening match against Spain, bringing in Mario for Fernandes. Blessed with an embarrassment of riches from midfield to attack, the veteran coach has failed to find the right combination so far, and it is frightening to think that were it not for Ronaldo, Portugal could well have been on their way home already.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Rui Patricio, 9 -- Excellent full-stretch save from a Medhi Benatia header 11 minutes into the match, and an exceptional stop from a Younes Belhanda header 11 minutes into the second half. Always alert, dominant in his area, safe hands and good distribution.
DF Cedric Soares, 8 -- Beaten by his man a couple of times in the opening minutes but reacted well, getting stronger and stronger, winning everything in his zone of the pitch and providing good cover for the centre-backs.
DF Pepe, 7 -- Typically feisty and whole-hearted performance, including some heavy duty battles with Benatia as Morocco sent in a series of dangerous crosses. Vital block in stoppage time to deflect a goal-bound shot over the bar.
DF Jose Fonte, 7 -- Criticised after his display against Spain, Fonte responded in fine fashion, defending a host of dangerous crosses masterfully and showing first-rate concentration.
DF Raphael Guerreiro, 5 -- A strong run in the eighth minute to set up a chance for Ronaldo suggested it could be a good afternoon for Guerreiro, but it went downhill from there as he was beaten time and again on the left flank, with the excellent Nordin Amrabat giving him the runaround all match long.
MF William Carvalho, 7 -- Unlike many of his midfield colleagues, Carvalho remained composed, well-positioned and clear-headed as he attempted to row against the tide of Moroccan attacks as much as he could.
MF Joao Moutinho, 7 -- Like against Spain, he showed the importance of experience with another busy display, winning numerous balls in the centre of the park and preventing Portugal from being completely overrun. Sent over a peach of a cross for Ronaldo's goal.
MF Bernardo Silva, 4 -- Another hugely underwhelming display from a player who can give the side so much more. That he was physically bullied is perhaps not a surprise, but a string of wayward passes was not what Portugal fans expect from such a talented player.
MF Joao Mario, 5 -- Partly culpable for Guerreiro's nightmare afternoon, Mario neither provided support for the ailing full-back nor contributed to get anything going in attack. Like Silva, he has the talent to do so much better.
FW Goncalo Guedes, 6 -- Forced a sharp save out of Morocco goalkeeper Munir in the opening half and one or two flickers of building chemistry with Ronaldo were evident. Worked hard, winning back possession several times.
FW Cristiano Ronaldo, 7 -- Another game, another World Cup goal for Ronaldo, with a typically lethal finish. Not far off doubling his tally shortly afterwards, but he uncharacteristically fluffed his shot from a promising position. Starved of service but still a record breaker, with his 85th goal for Portugal, making him the leading European scorer in international football history.
Substitutes
MF Gelson Martins, 5 -- Brought on to try and stretch the play with his speed and dribbling but spent most of the time helping the defence -- and not particularly effectively.
FW Bruno Fernandes, 5 -- Came on for the uninspired Mario and added nothing positive to a poor team performance.
FW Adrien Silva, N/R -- Picked up a yellow card and did little else of note.