moroco seals it first African country to hit the semi finals of the world cup

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Giant Killers Morocco make World Cup history as Ronaldo weeps

By Our Reporter On Dec 10, 2022 0

Giant killers and African representatives Morocco on Saturday broke the ceiling to become the first African country to hit the semifinals of the World Cup after defeating Portugal by a lone goal. Five African countries began the battle in Qatar vis Morocco, African Champions Senegal, Ghana, Tunisia and Cameroon but only Morocco survived the heat to continue the push.

Ronaldo thrown into the battle in second half

Portugal talisman Ronaldo started from the bench in the second half and did all he could to turn the table to no avails

Saturday’s result saw Ronaldo who had hinted that this might be his last cup appearance break down in tears. Cameras followed the former Manchester United ace who is curently a free agent and he attempted to control tears that flowed freely after the match.

Striker Youssef En-Nesyri scored the winning goal in the first half, leaping highest to beat goalkeeper Diogo Costa to the ball and heading in to spark pandemonium at Al Thumama Stadium.

The north African side’s supporters populated most of the venue and joyously celebrated their breakthrough moment for their continent on the global stage.

Morocco were happy to play on the counter and grabbed the opener just before the break when En-Nesyri headed in from Yahya Attiyat-Allah’s cross.

Portugal skipper Bruno Fernandes came agonisingly close to levelling just minutes later but a brilliant individual effort struck the crossbar.

Decimated by injuries, Morocco sat back for the majority of the second half and Yassine Bounou brilliantly tipped over Joao Felix’s drive – the closest they came to an equaliser.

Morocco striker Walid Cheddira was sent off for a second yellow card in eight minutes of additional time but Portugal could not find the equaliser as their last-four hopes were dashed. Top players who had been tipped to make it to the final, Neymar and Ronaldo inclusive, have now been shown the door with the likes of Mbappe and Messi still in contention.