NIGEL DE JONG hit out at Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes for going to ground too easily.
The Manchester United midfielder protested for a penalty as Portugal found themselves 1-0 down to Morocco.
Nigel de Jong on punditry duty for ITV
GettyBruno Fernandes saw his penalty appeal waved off[/caption]
Argentine official Facundo Tello told Fernandes to get back to his feet and replays revealed little contact.
De Jong, a Premier League winner with City, took aim at Fernandes for his repeated offences of hitting the deck.
He said on ITV: “You could see who was at the end of it and who is laying on the floor again. We all see back in UK watching the Premier League.
“Fernandes has a feeling of going to the ground in circumstances and situations like this.
“It was not enough to give it as a penalty especially in the moment of the game like that.
“The referee made a good call and the VAR made a great call.”
Fernandes cut a frustrated look at his calls for a spot-kick were waved off.
It followed after after Morocco striker Youssef En-Nesyri headed home on 42 minutes to earn a shock lead.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who came on in the second half after being benched, looked stunned by the finish.
It was a jump the ex-Manchester United star would have been proud of and one hailed by England legend Gary Lineker.
Lineker tweeted: “Wow! Morocco lead. What a leap from En-Nesyri. Is there a trampoline under this pitch?”
APMorocco’s Youssef En-Nesyri celebrates after scoring[/caption]