Morocco beat Portugal to qualify for the semi-finals as the first African country in 92 years.
Portugal painfully exits the World Cup, bringing the curtain down on the international careers of Pepe and Ronaldo. Although their new generation will be looking forward to Euro 2024 with promise.
In the 5th minute, Bounou reacted sharply to dive down to his left and turn behind Joao Felix’s diving header, which is sent toward the centre of the goal! It was a superb cross from Fernandes’ right-sided free-kick.
There was a miss in the 7th minute from Ziyech’s out-swinging corner, En-Nesyri spurned a golden chance to open the scoring; mistiming a free header from only a few yards out and sending the ball over the crossbar.
Morocco’s decisive lead came in the 42nd minute, as En-Nesyri beat Costa to a cross from the left by Attiyat-Allah. He nods the ball into the back of the unguarded net; putting the Atlas Lions 1-0 ahead just before halftime.
The match continued with Morocco in the lead, and on the 90 + 3 minutes, Cheddira was sent off for receiving his second yellow card. Morocco, down to 10 men, with five minutes of stoppage time to go, had to play defensive until the final whistle.
They will now play England or France.
