Cristiano Ronaldo confronted by pitch invader after World Cup agony

Cristiano Ronaldo was confronted by a pitch invader as his World Cup story ended in heartbreaking fashion as Portugal were beaten 1-0 by Morocco in the quarter-finals in Qatar. It was Sevilla frontman Youssef En-Nesyri who struck the all important winner when he powered a brilliant header home in the first half as the Atlas Lions became the first ever African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

Ronaldo started the game on the bench – just as he did in the last 16 – as hat-trick hero Goncalo Ramos kept his place in the side after netting a brilliant treble against Switzerland.

CR7 was soon summoned from the bench early in the second half as Portugal trailed the match but the Euro 2016 winners never truly looked like finding a way through the resilient Moroccan backline.

Morocco have now kept clean sheets against Croatia, Belgium, Spain and Portugal to reach the final four and Walid Regragui’s side are not to be underestimated after cementing legendary status in their homeland.

For Ronaldo, it means this was the final time we see him on the World Cup stage as he left the pitch in tears.

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He has already received an eye-watering offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr but his lawyers are continuing to analyse the terms of the contract.

Al-Nassr’s proposal would reportedly see Ronaldo net close to £150million per season over the course of two-and-a-half years.

Ronaldo had been hopeful of securing a move that would see him stay in Europe but that now looks unlikely following a disappointing showing in Qatar that would suggest his powers have seriously waned with age.

After winning his 196th cap against Morocco, Ronaldo now shares the record as the most-capped international player of all-time alongside Bader Al-Mutawa.

Even despite a difficult tournament, Ronaldo still managed to etch his name into World Cup history by scoring in his fifth finals having also previously featured in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.

Portugal huffed and puffed but just couldn’t break Morocco down as the African side now look forward to a semi-final clash against England or France.

Joao Felix forced Yassine Bounou into a stunning save in the second half but that was the closest Portugal came to finding a leveller.

Morocco even had chances to seal the game once and for all but Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Dalot was on hand to keep them at bay after his questionable attempt to stop the opening goal.