Doha: Morocco wrote World Cup historical past on Saturday evening as the primary African and Arab nation to achieve the tournaments semifinals, persevering with their shock run in Qatar with a shock 1-0 victory over the extremely fancied Portugal.
Youssef En-Nesyri leapt excessive within the air to go residence the video games solely objective simply earlier than half-time on the Al-Thumama Stadium to strike a big blow towards soccer’s established order and e-book a semifinal on Wednesday.
The outcome might be extensively celebrated throughout Africa and the Arabic-speaking Center East, determined to see one in all their groups in rivalry for the most important prize in soccer.
Morocco had already taken the scalps of Belgium and Spain on this event however the win over Portugal is of a lot better significance.
Portugal’s Goncalo Ramos and Ruben Dias soar for a header as Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and teammates look on. Photograph: AFP/Nelson Almeida
It was additionally one in all Morocco’s higher performances in Qatar, filled with decided defending and canny counters, maintaining at bay a group of world stars regardless of dropping key defender Nayef Aguerd to damage earlier than the match and his again 4 companion and captain Romain Saiss early within the second half.
Portugal will see it as a missed alternative towards the lowest-ranked aspect left within the event and a disappointing curtain name for the 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.
Morocco, once more noisily inspired by nearly all of the 44,198-strong crowd, stated they have been fatigued after their last-16 success over Spain and instantly went into defensive mode as Portugal attacked from the outset.
A fourth-minute free-kick for Portugal from huge on the precise was swung into the penalty space, and met by Joao Felixs diving header, producing a high quality save from Yassine Bounou.
However the provide rapidly dried up thereafter as Morocco closed the passing lanes and pissed off the Portuguese attackers.
Joao Felix had two extra half possibilities within the first half however Morocco gained in confidence and located a sudden spring of their step, continuously breaking on the counter assault.
Left-back Yahya Attiat-Allah made a number of surging runs down the flank, presenting Selim Amallah with an excellent likelihood within the thirty fifth minute, which he was unable to transform.
However seven minutes later, a excessive ball from the full-back into the Portuguese field was met by a towering header from En-Nesyri, outjumping each goalkeeper Diogo Costa and defender Ruben Dias handy Morocco the lead.
Portuguese frustration was evident as they swarmed the Argentine referee Facundo Tello on the finish of the primary half, complaining that a number of penalty appeals had been turned down.
Morocco got here near a second objective 4 minutes into the second half as Jawad El Yamiq received a contact to Hakim Ziyechs in-swinging free kick however Costa was in place this time to dam.
Portugal’s Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo react after lacking an opportunity to attain. Photograph: Reuter/Kai Pfaffenbach
Ronaldo’s entry within the 51st minute was met with a loud refrain of jeers, however he did inject a brand new power into the Portugal aspect for whom Goncalo Ramos, the hat-trick hero of their 6-1 win over Switzerland within the earlier spherical, missed with a close-in header within the 58th minute.
Bruno Fernandes hit excessive of the crossbar 5 minutes later as Portugal threw extra into assault and Morocco started to take a seat deeper.
Bounou saved once more from Joao Felix with seven minutes left.
Morocco’s Walid Cheddira was despatched off in stoppage time after receiving two yellow playing cards in fast succession.
However his aspect, to the delight of their raucous help, held out for a well-known victory.