Morocco 1- 0 Portugal
Morocco qualifies to the World Cup semifinals, after defeating Portugal 1-0 at the World Cup in Qatar. Morocco become the first African team to make it to a World Cup semifinal.
Morocco wrote World Cup history Saturday night as the first African and Arab country to reach the tournament’s semi-finals, continuing their surprise run in Qatar with a shock 1-0 victory over the highly fancied Portugal.
Youssef En-Nesyri leapt high in the air to head home the game’s only goal just before halftime at the Al-Thumama Stadium to strike a significant blow against football’s established order and book a semifinal spot on Wednesday against either England or France, who meet later Saturday.
The result will be widely celebrated across Africa and the Arabic-speaking Middle East, desperate to see one of their teams in contention for the biggest prize in football.
Morocco had already bested Belgium and Spain in this tournament but the win over Portugal is of much greater significance.
Heartbreak for Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal, as they are eliminated from the World Cup in Qatar, Dec. 10, 2022.
👉There will be no World Cup title for Cristiano Ronaldo in what was likely his last appearance at soccer’s biggest tournament.
On the bench at the start for the second straight match, Ronaldo couldn’t help Portugal come back against Morocco, losing 1-0 in the quarterfinals Saturday.
The 37-year-old Ronaldo walked off the field in tears.
Ronaldo came on as a substitute early in the second half with his team already behind. He replaced midfielder Rúben Neves in the 51st minute for his 196th international men's appearance, the most of all time along with Kuwait forward Badr Al-Mutawa. (AP)
Morocco players celebrate winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final football match between Morocco and Portugal at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha, Dec.10, 2022.
👉 Morocco became the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals by beating Portugal 1-0 to likely end Cristiano Ronaldo’s chances of winning soccer’s biggest prize. Youssef En-Nesyri scored the winning goal in the 42nd minute to continue Morocco’s improbable run that has generated an outpouring of pride in the Arab world during the first World Cup to be staged in the Middle East.
The 37-year-old Ronaldo is one of soccer’s greatest players. He didn't start for the second straight game but came on as a substitute in the 51st minute. Morocco will play either France or England in the semifinals. (AP)
(Reuters)