Morocco down Portugal to become first ever African World Cup semi-finalists

DOHA – Morocco grew to become the first African nation to attain the World Cup semi-finals as Youssef En-Nesyri’s first-half objective sealed a tense 1-0 victory over Portugal on Saturday at Al Thumama Stadium.

The Atlas Lions, additionally the first Arab crew to make the final 4, added Portugal to their checklist of European scalps with a resolute second-half efficiency.

Cristiano Ronaldo has seemingly performed his final World Cup match after making an ineffectual look as a second-half substitute, failing to rating his first knockout-phase objective on the match.

Morocco took a Forty second-minute lead by way of En-Nesyri’s header as they got here on strongly late within the first interval.

Portugal piled on the strain after the break however an injury-hit Morocco, with out three of their 4 first-choice defenders as soon as skipper Romain Saiss was compelled off, held on regardless of being lowered to 10 males in added time.

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 first time.

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo was despatched on early within the second half by coach Fernando Santos however couldn’t rescue the Euro 2016 winners.

Instead 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 objective.

Morocco at all times appeared harmful, although, and Selim Amallah ballooned a shot over and Sofiane Boufal curled straight at Diogo Costa for the Africans.

EN-NESYRI STRIKES

It 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 remaining with a towering header.

Portugal virtually 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 jiffy earlier than half-time additionally noticed Attiat-Allah, solely enjoying instead of the injured Noussair Mazraoui, blaze large after one other fast counter.

Portugal’s gamers had been nonetheless interesting for a penalty after Fernandes threw himself to the bottom below strain from Achraf Hakimi on the different finish.

Morocco virtually doubled their benefit 4 minutes after the restart as Costa nearly managed to stop Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick from the fitting 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, had been dealt one other blow when Saiss was stretchered off.

Portugal began to lay siege to the opposition objective and Fernandes got here shut to levelling once more when he fired narrowly over from the sting of the field.

Morocco had been largely conserving Portugal at bay, however Bounou had to be at his finest to tip over Felix’s drive with eight minutes remaining.

Eight minutes of harm time had been largely spent with Portugal camped within the Morocco half and Ronaldo virtually had his second when his low strike was saved 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 way of.

But his crew one way or the other held onto their lead to write their names within the historical past books as Pepe headed large from shut vary proper on the loss of life.