Moroccan players and staff pose for a photo after their World Cup win over Portugal as the team advanced to the semi-finals.
Paul children | Reuters
Morocco wrote World Cup history on Saturday night as the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of the tournament, continuing a surprise streak against Qatar with a shock win. -0 against Portugal is very popular.
Youssef En-Nesyri headed high to score the only goal of the game just before half-time at Al-Thumama Stadium to deal a blow to the established order of football and book tickets to the semi-finals. on Wednesday meet England or France, who meet later on Saturday.
The results will be widely held across Africa and the Arabic-speaking Middle East, who are eager to see one of their teams compete for the biggest prize in football.
Morocco has faced Belgium and Spain in this tournament but the victory over Portugal means much more.
It was also one of Morocco’s better performances in Qatar, with a determined defense and shrewd counter-attacks that prevented a host of world stars despite the loss of key defender Nayef Aguerd. due to a pre-match injury and his four-back teammate, captain Romain Saiss, early in the game. second half.
Portugal will see it as a missed opportunity against the league’s lowest-ranked side and a disappointing finish for 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.
Morocco, once again cheered by the majority of the 44,198 spectators, said they were tired after their round of 16 success against Spain and immediately went into defensive mode when Portugal Attack from the very beginning.
A fourth-minute free kick for Portugal from the right flank was delivered from inside the box and was met by Joao Felix’s sunken header, which produced a superb save by Yassine Bounou.
But supplies quickly dried up after that as Morocco closed the passes and frustrated the Portuguese attackers.
Joao Felix had two more chances in the first half but Morocco were more confident and found surprise in their run, often breaking counter-attacks.
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Left-back Yahya Attiat-Allah made several breakthroughs on the wing, creating a good chance for Selim Amallah in the 35th minute, but he could not convert the goal.
But seven minutes later, a wide pass from the full-back into the Portuguese box was met with a dangerous header from En-Nesyri, past both goalkeeper Diogo Costa and defender Ruben Dias to put Ma in -Rocket takes the lead.
The Portuguese’s frustration was evident when they attacked Argentinian referee Facundo Tello late in the first half, complaining that several penalty appeals had been denied.
Morocco were close to a second goal in the 4th minute when Jawad El Yamiq touched the ball after Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick but this time Costa was on hand to make a save.
Ronaldo’s entry in the 51st minute was met with a big round of laughs, but he energized the Portuguese side whose hero Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 win over the Portuguese. Switzerland in the previous round, missed. a header from close range in the 58th minute.
Five minutes later, Bruno Fernandes sent the ball over the bar as Portugal attacked more and Morocco began to drop deeper. Bounou saved Joao Felix again with seven minutes left in the game.
Moroccan player Walid Cheddira was sent off in injury time after receiving two consecutive yellow cards.
But his side, to the delight of their ardent support, secured a famous victory.
