Morocco world cup 2022: The game-winning goal was scored by Youssef En-Nesyri, who jumped high to beat goalkeeper Diogo Costa to the ball and headed in to send Al Thumama Stadium into a frenzy.
It was a joyous moment for the North African supporters as they joyfully celebrated their breakthrough moment at the global level.
When Ronaldo came off the bench in the 50th minute, he tied the men’s all-time appearance record of 196, but his team failed to rally around him.
The Moroccans, who will face either England or France in the quarterfinals, played on the counterattack and scored just before halftime when En-Nesyri headed home a cross by Yahya Attiyat. As Allah wills
Just minutes later, Portugal captain Bruno Fernandes came agonizingly close to equalizing, but his magnificent solo effort hit the crossbar.
They sat back for the entirety of the second half, with Yassine Bounou expertly tipping over Joao Felix’s effort the closest they got to equalizing.
There forward Walid Cheddira was sent off in the eighth minute of extra time for a second yellow card, but Portugal couldn’t score an equalizer, and their last-four ambitions were destroyed.
Morocco made history as the first African and Arab country to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
After defeating Portugal 1-0, Morocco became the first Arab and African country to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.
A soaring header from Youssef En Nesyri in the 42nd minute ended a historic run for coach Walid Regragui’s team in Qatar, which had gone more than seven hours without conceding a goal.
Tens of thousands of Moroccan supporters were crammed into the Al Thumama Stadium. Not even Walid Cheddira’s dismissal in the third minute of extra time could dim the glow of their unlikely win.
Favored despite having possession of the ball and calling on record-scorer Cristiano Ronaldo from the substitutes’ bench just after halftime, Portugal was unable to penetrate its opponents.
The five-time global player of the year will likely retire without winning the World Cup or reaching a final, but his appearances off the bench helped him surpass 196 caps to tie for the most appearances in men’s international football history.
Morocco world cup 2022: Tenacious defense and deft counterattack
As part of this tournament, Morocco had already defeated Belgium and Spain, but its victory over Portugal is significantly more significant.
Despite losing crucial defender Nayef Aguerd before the game to injury and his back-four partner and captain Romain Saiss early in the second half to injury, it was one of the team’s finest performances in Qatar, with tenacious defense and cunning counterattack, battling international powerhouses.
The squandered opportunity to play the tournament’s lowest-ranked team is a depressing send-off for 37-year-old Ronaldo.
In the last-16, Morocco claimed they were exhausted after beating Spain and switched to defense as Portugal attacked immediately. A majority of 44,198 spectators applauded them once again.
In the fourth minute, Joao Felix’ diving header on a Portugal free kick looped into the penalty area forced Yassine Bounou into a superb save.
Due to Moroccan blocking of the crossing lanes, the Portuguese were eventually unable to obtain supplies.
Joao Felix had two more opportunities in the first half to score, but Morocco suddenly found their mojo and routinely broke through on the counterattack.
- Morocco world cup 2022
- Morocco World Cup 2022 Win Against Portugal
