BREAKING: Morocco stun Portugal to make W/Cup history and reach semi-finals
Morocco made history as the first African nation ever to reach the World Cup semi-finals after another shock victory over Portugal in Qatar.
A moment in time
A moment in historyThe FIRST-EVER African nation to reach a #FIFAWorldCup Semi-Finals 🇲🇦❤️ pic.twitter.com/SeAOKngZna
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 10, 2022
The Atlas Lions have bettered the efforts of Cameroon at Italia 90, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010 thanks to a leaping header before half-time from Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri at Al Thumama Stadium, punishing some erratic goalkeeping from Diogo Costa to notch what proved to be the winning goal.
Morocco will play either England or France in a historic last-four clash on Wednesday night after following up their incredible penalty-shootout defeat of Spain in the last-16 with another significant upset.
MOROCCO ARE HEADING TO THE SEMI-FINALS! 🇲🇦@adidasfootball | #FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 10, 2022
It’s a chastening World Cup exit for Portugal, who once again left talisman Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench after his high-profile dropping for the 6-1 thrashing of Switzerland, with his early second-half introduction not enough to turn the tide as he equalled the men’s international record with his 196th cap.
Ronaldo was left in tears at the full-time whistle as Morocco’s players celebrated jubilantly in front of what felt like a home crowd, knowing that was surely his last chance at World Cup glory.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner will be 41 by the time the next tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico rolls around in 2026.
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