Morocco 1-0 Portugal: Morocco stun Portugal to become first African team to reach WC semi-final
Morocco became the first African team to qualify for a World Cup semi-final, beating Portugal 1-0 at the Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday.
Youssef En-Nesyri’s header before half-time put Morocco on their way to another famous win at this World Cup. They have now knocked out Spain and Portugal, going from doubters to believers with every passing game.
The first African team to get to a semi-final have captured the hearts of not just their fans but every neutral viewer at this World Cup.
Portugal head coach Fernando Santos made one change after their convincing 6-1 win over Switzerland, with Ruben Neves replacing William Carvalho.
Santos again left captain Cristiano Ronaldo out of their starting line-up, keeping hat-trick hero Goncalo Ramos in the team.
His Morocco counterpart Walid Regragui was forced to shuffle his defence after Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui were ruled out by injury. Yahia Attiat Allah came in at left-back for Mazraoui and Jawad El Yamiq replaced Aguerd.
The first chance of the game fell to Joao Felix, whose diving header after five minutes forced Bono into a smart stop. Morocco had appealed for offside but they completely switched off and were lucky that Felix did not capitalise on their complacency.
Morocco were then presented with a gift of a chance moments later. From a corner, Youssef En-Nesyri had a free header which in truth he should have done better with.
Portugal had most of the ball but when Morocco won it back, they looked dangerous going forward. It was no surprise that Portugal had 79 percent possession after 25 minutes. Morocco’s average at this tournament is just 32.7 percent – the second-lowest of all sides to have taken part.
Portugal had their best chance of the game on the half-hour mark and it was Felix involved again. A poor clearance from Jawad El Yamiq found Felix on the edge of the box. The Atletico Madrid man hit a rasping volley that deflected off El Yamiq and narrowly brushed Bono’s post.
Morocco then responded with a lovely move. Sofiane Boufal breezed the attentions of a number of Portuguese challenges before feeding Attiyat Allah down the left. His cut-back found Selim Amallah who blazed over.
Morocco were creeping into the tie and then seized control. Allah was involved again as his beautiful cross found En-Nesyri who rose highest in the box to head home the opener. It was Ronaldo-esque. Granted, it was poor goalkeeping from Diogo Costa but the leap from En-Nesyri was exceptional.
Portugal responded minutes after going behind. A long ball over the top found Bruno Fernandes on the right-hand side of the area and he hit an audacious dipping volley that crashed off the bar. It certainly would have been a prime contender for goal of the tournament had it gone in.
Morocco nearly doubled their lead just after half-time when Hakim Ziyech’s teasing ball caused mass confusion in the Portugal box and was nearly inadvertently deflected into the net.
Santos couldn’t wait any longer and five minutes into the second half introduced Ronaldo into the fray, but it was his initial replacement Ramos who had Portugal’s opening chance of the second half.
After some neat play outside the Moroccan box, Otávio curled a delicious ball into the area that Ramos headed wide. Given his hot streak right now he should have buried it.
Fernandes then went close after the hour mark when his shot from the edge of the area whistled over the crossbar. Portugal were edging towards an equaliser.
Half-chances are all the Portuguese could muster up with Ronaldo’s introduction having very little effect. Cristiano and his final accolade of a World Cup was edging closer to extinction.
Morocco were defending for the lives and still looked a threat on the counter. Azzedine Ounahi was wasteful on one particular occasion when his threaded pass for substitute Walid Cheddira went wayward.
Felix was involved once more and he will wonder how he didn’t score. Ronaldo set him up for a first time effort that looked destined for the top corner but Bono produced a stunning save to tip it over the bar.
Then, Ronaldo nearly had his moment. He went in behind the Morocco backline but his effort was smothered by the inspired Bono.
It wasn’t to be and Morocco held on for another monumental victory. Ronaldo and Portugal have been dumped out and Morocco will now face the winner of England and France Wednesday night.
