Morocco down Portugal
First ever African World Cup semi-finalists
Morocco became the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals as Youssef En-Nesyri's first-half goal sealed a tense 1-0 victory over Portugal on Saturday at Al Thumama Stadium.
The Atlas Lions, also the first Arab team to make the last four, added Portugal to their list of European scalps with a resolute second-half performance.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo has likely played his last World Cup match after making an ineffectual appearance as a second-half substitute, failing to score his first knockout-phase goal at the tournament.
Morocco took a 42nd-minute lead through En-Nesyri's header as they came on strongly late in the first period.
Portugal piled on the pressure after the break, but an injury-hit Morocco, without three of their four first-choice defenders once skipper Romain Saiss was forced off, hung on despite being reduced to 10 men in added time.
"We came up against a really great Portugal team. We're drawing on all we have; we still have guys injured. I told the guys before the match we had to write history for Africa. I'm very, very happy," Morocco coach Walid Regragui said.
Loss
The partisan crowd undoubtedly helped the North Africans over the line, although Portugal struggled to create many clear-cut chances as they lost a World Cup quarter-final for the first time.
"I think it wasn't fair for us to lose, but that's football," said Portugal coach Fernando Santos.
"We're upset because we thought we could reach the final and win the final as well."
Instead, it was another famous day for Morocco, after previous upset wins over Belgium and Spain, on penalties, in Qatar.
Regragui's men will face France in the semi-finals at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday.
Morocco will believe they can topple either of those sides, having still only conceded once at this World Cup.
Final leg
In the other quarter-final match, Olivier Giroud continued his magnificent World Cup by scoring France's late winner in their quarter-final against England on Saturday and admitted that the holders' battling performance in adversity evoked the spirit of their triumphant 2018 run.
France are now just two games away from becoming the first team in 60 years to retain the trophy after Giroud's fourth goal of the tournament sunk an impressive England side in a titanic battle at Al Bayt Stadium.
In the other quarter-final clash, Croatia eliminated Brazil in a penalty shoot-out (4-2) after a one-all stalemate to give themselves a chance in the semi-finals. Whereas Argentina defeated Netherlands 4-3 on penalties after a two-all draw. Croatia will face Argentina on Tuesday.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo has likely played his last World Cup match after making an ineffectual appearance as a second-half substitute, failing to score his first knockout-phase goal at the tournament.
Morocco took a 42nd-minute lead through En-Nesyri's header as they came on strongly late in the first period.
Portugal piled on the pressure after the break, but an injury-hit Morocco, without three of their four first-choice defenders once skipper Romain Saiss was forced off, hung on despite being reduced to 10 men in added time.
"We came up against a really great Portugal team. We're drawing on all we have; we still have guys injured. I told the guys before the match we had to write history for Africa. I'm very, very happy," Morocco coach Walid Regragui said.
Loss
The partisan crowd undoubtedly helped the North Africans over the line, although Portugal struggled to create many clear-cut chances as they lost a World Cup quarter-final for the first time.
"I think it wasn't fair for us to lose, but that's football," said Portugal coach Fernando Santos.
"We're upset because we thought we could reach the final and win the final as well."
Instead, it was another famous day for Morocco, after previous upset wins over Belgium and Spain, on penalties, in Qatar.
Regragui's men will face France in the semi-finals at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday.
Morocco will believe they can topple either of those sides, having still only conceded once at this World Cup.
Final leg
In the other quarter-final match, Olivier Giroud continued his magnificent World Cup by scoring France's late winner in their quarter-final against England on Saturday and admitted that the holders' battling performance in adversity evoked the spirit of their triumphant 2018 run.
France are now just two games away from becoming the first team in 60 years to retain the trophy after Giroud's fourth goal of the tournament sunk an impressive England side in a titanic battle at Al Bayt Stadium.
In the other quarter-final clash, Croatia eliminated Brazil in a penalty shoot-out (4-2) after a one-all stalemate to give themselves a chance in the semi-finals. Whereas Argentina defeated Netherlands 4-3 on penalties after a two-all draw. Croatia will face Argentina on Tuesday.
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