Morocco prolonged their dream run in Qatar and become the primary staff from Africa ever to succeed in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup with the win.
Youssef En-Nesyri’s towering header within the forty second minute used to be sufficient for the North African facet to ship former European champions Portugal out of the quadrennial event.
MOROCCO ARE HEADING TO THE SEMI-FINALS! 🇲🇦@adidasfootball | #FIFAWorldCup
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Portugal began with Ronaldo at the bench once more, however introduced him on early in the second one 1/2 after trailing 0-1 on the halftime damage. But the resilient Morocco defended with all they needed to convert the narrow lead right into a profitable one. Morocco had been down by way of a person in stoppage time when Walid Cheddirah used to be despatched off upon getting two yellow playing cards in a minute, however with lower than 5 mins left within the contest Portugal did not benefit from the location.
Morocco will now face the winners of the final quarter-final between England and France within the final 4 levels on Thursday.
En-Nesyri leapt top within the air to move house the sport’s most effective purpose simply earlier than half-time on the Al-Thumama Stadium to strike an important blow in opposition to soccer’s status quo.
The outcome can be broadly celebrated throughout Africa and the Arabic-speaking Middle East, determined to peer one in every of their groups in competition for the most important prize in soccer.
A second in timeA second in historical pastThe FIRST-EVER African country to succeed in a #FIFAWorldCup Semi-Finals 🇲🇦❤️ https://t.co/SeAOKngZna
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Morocco had already taken the scalps of Belgium and Spain on this event however the win over Portugal is of a lot better importance.
It used to be additionally one in every of Morocco’s higher performances in Qatar, stuffed with made up our minds protecting and canny counters, retaining at bay a number of international stars regardless of shedding key defender Nayef Aguerd to harm earlier than the fit and his again 4 spouse and captain Romain Saiss early in the second one 1/2.
Portugal will see it as a overlooked alternative in opposition to the lowest-ranked facet left within the event and a disappointing curtain name for 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.
Morocco, once more noisily inspired by way of nearly all of the 44,198-strong crowd, stated they had been fatigued after their last-16 good fortune over Spain and instantly went into defensive mode as Portugal attacked from the outset.
A ancient pleasure of Atlas Lions 🦁@EnMaroc | #FIFAWorldCup https://t.co/MU9FMIRaHo
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A fourth-minute loose kick for Portugal from extensive at the proper used to be swung into the penalty space, and met by way of Joao Felix’s diving header, generating a effective save from Yassine Bounou.
But the provision briefly dried up thereafter as Morocco closed the passing lanes and annoyed the Portuguese attackers.
Joao Felix had two extra 1/2 possibilities within the first 1/2 however Morocco received in self assurance and located a surprising spring of their step, regularly breaking at the counter assault.
Left again Yahya Attiat-Allah made a number of surging runs down the flank, presenting Selim Amallah with a superb opportunity within the thirty fifth minute, which he used to be not able to transform.
But seven mins later, a top ball from the fullback into the Portuguese field used to be met by way of a towering header from En-Nesyri, outjumping each goalkeeper Diogo Costa and defender Ruben Dias handy Morocco the lead.
Youssef En-Nesyri: Rocketman 🚀🇲🇦 https://t.co/EHuCnFFqEf
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Portuguese frustration used to be obtrusive as they swarmed the Argentine referee Facundo Tello on the finish of the primary 1/2, complaining that a number of penalty appeals were became down.
Morocco got here just about a 2nd purpose 4 mins into the second one 1/2 as Jawad El Yamiq were given a marginally to Hakim Ziyech’s in-swinging loose kick however Costa used to be in position this time to dam.
Ronaldo’s access within the 51st minute used to be met with a noisy refrain of jeers, however he did inject a brand new power into the Portugal facet for whom Goncalo Ramos, the hat-trick hero in their 6-1 win over Switzerland within the earlier spherical, overlooked with a close-in header within the 58th minute.
Bruno Fernandes hit excessive of the crossbar 5 mins later as Portugal threw extra into assault and Morocco started to sit down deeper. Bounou stored once more from Joao Felix with seven mins left.
Morocco’s Walid Cheddira used to be despatched off in stoppage time after receiving two yellow playing cards in fast succession.
But his facet, to the satisfaction in their raucous reinforce, held out for a well-known victory.
(With inputs from businesses)