Moroccon gamers have a good time as Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, entrance, reacts on the finish of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Morocco and Portugal, at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Saturday. AP
Doha: Morocco grew to become the primary African nation to succeed in the World Cup semi-finals as Youssef En-Nesyri’s first-half aim sealed a tense 1-0 victory over Portugal on Saturday at Al Thumama Stadium.
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The Atlas Lions, additionally the primary Arab group to make the final 4, added Portugal to their checklist of European scalps with a resolute second-half efficiency.
Cristiano Ronaldo has doubtless performed his final World Cup match after making an ineffectual look as a second-half substitute, failing to attain his first knockout-phase aim on the event earlier than departing down the tunnel in tears.
Morocco took a Forty second-minute lead by En-Nesyri’s header as they got here on strongly late within the first interval.
Portugal piled on the stress after the break however an injury-hit Morocco, with out three of their 4 first-choice defenders as soon as skipper Romain Saiss was pressured off, held on regardless of being decreased to 10 males in added time.
“We got here up in opposition to a extremely nice Portugal group. We’re drawing on all we have now, we nonetheless have guys injured. I advised the fellows earlier than the match we needed to write historical past for Africa. I’m very, very blissful,” Regragui mentioned.
The partisan crowd undoubtedly helped the North Africans over the road, though Portugal struggled to create many clear-cut possibilities as they misplaced a World Cup quarter-final for the primary time.
“I believe it wasn’t honest for us to lose, however that’s soccer,” mentioned Portugal coach Fernando Santos. “We’re upset as a result of we thought we might attain the ultimate and win the ultimate as effectively.”
5-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo was despatched on early within the second half by Santos however couldn’t rescue the Euro 2016 winners.
As an alternative it was one other well-known day for Morocco, after earlier upset wins over Belgium and Spain, on penalties, in Qatar. Walid Regragui’s males will face England or holders France within the semi-finals at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday.
Morocco will imagine they will topple both of these sides, having nonetheless solely conceded as soon as at this World Cup. Portugal loved nearly all of possession within the opening half-hour, however Joao Felix’s fifth-minute diving header, saved by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, was the closest both aspect got here to an early aim.
Morocco at all times seemed harmful, although, and Selim Amallah ballooned a shot over and Sofiane Boufal curled straight at Diogo Costa for the Africans.
En-Nesyri strikesIt was no shock when Morocco did forge forward shortly earlier than the interval. Portuguese goalkeeper Costa got here for a cross from left-back Yahya Attiat-Allah he was by no means going to get to and Sevilla striker En-Nesyri did the remainder with a towering header.
Portugal nearly equalised seconds later in spectacular trend when Bruno Fernandes crashed a bouncing ball from the right-hand aspect of the field in opposition to the crossbar.
A loopy couple of minutes earlier than half-time additionally noticed Attiat-Allah, solely taking part in rather than the injured Noussair Mazraoui, blaze broad after one other fast counter.
Morocco nearly doubled their benefit 4 minutes after the restart as Costa nearly managed to forestall Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick from the appropriate from flying all the best way in.Santos wasted little time in summoning for his captain, sending on Ronaldo and Joao Cancelo within the 51st minute.
Morocco, already with out injured defenders Mazraoui and Nayef Aguerd, have been dealt one other blow when Saiss was stretchered off. Portugal began to put siege to the opposition aim and Fernandes got here near levelling once more when he fired narrowly over from the sting of the field.
Morocco have been largely preserving Portugal at bay, however Bounou needed to be at his greatest to tip over Felix’s drive with eight minutes remaining. Eight minutes of harm time have been largely spent with Portugal camped within the Morocco half and Ronaldo nearly had his second when his low strike was stored out by Bounou.
Morocco substitute Walid Cheddira was harshly despatched off for a second yellow card within the house of two minutes. Zakaria Aboukhlal ought to have put the sport to mattress solely to dink straight at Costa when clear by.
However his group one way or the other held onto their result in write their names within the historical past books as Pepe headed broad from shut vary proper on the loss of life.
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