Morocco produced an unbelievable efficiency within the quarter-final of the FIFA World Cup as they knocked out Portugal with a 1-0 win on Saturday. Youssef En-Nesyri’s purpose within the forty second minute remained the only distinction between the 2 sides, as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal endured a disappointing finish to their marketing campaign. Ronaldo had began from bench but once more within the quarter-final and got here on early within the second half, however failed to interrupt the impasse for the aspect.
That is Morocco’s maiden look within the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup, and the aspect will face one in every of England and defending champions France for a spot within the ultimate of the version.
Morocco turned the primary ever African nation to achieve the semi-finals because of a towering headed purpose from Youssef En-Nesyri.
Within the forty second minute En-Nesyri leapt above the Portugal defenders to fulfill a Yahya Attiat-Allah cross, getting simply sufficient of his head to the ball to tip it previous goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who misinterpret its flight and crashed into his personal defender.
Portugal, in the meantime, struggled to interrupt by means of the Moroccan defence, Bruno Fernandes coming closest with a shot off the bar shortly after Morocco’s purpose.
Cristiano Ronaldo got here off the bench six minutes after the break however was unable to assist his staff keep away from defeat, as he could not register a shot on course all through his keep.
At 37, this was fairly possible the final FIFA World Cup look for Cristiano Ronaldo; he had scored in Portugal’s opening recreation of the World Cup towards Ghana, which had made him the primary male footballer to attain in 5 World Cup editions. Nevertheless, Portugal’s World Cup marketing campaign was marred with controversies surrounding Ronaldo, significantly after the participant was benched within the aspect’s Spherical of 16 match towards Switzerland.
For Morocco, nevertheless, the dream run continues even because the aspect needed to face a number of setbacks all through their match towards Portugal. Within the second half, one in every of their predominant gamers and captain, Romain Saiss was stretchered off the sector and stays uncertain for the aspect’s the rest of the marketing campaign. Within the harm time, Walid Cheddira was given a pink card, that means he’ll miss Morocco’s semi-final.