FIFA World Cup: Youssef En-Nesyri makes history for Morocco and Africa by reaching semi-finals
Morocco stunned Portugal to become the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals following a 1-0 victory.
Atlas Lions making history in QatarYoussef En-Nesyri's header three minutes before half-time was the only goal that was greeted with cheers by the large crowd of Moroccan fans at Al-Thumama Stadium.
Cristiano Ronaldo was again not in the starting lineup but was substituted early in the second half. He played his 196th international match, equaling the men's world record set by Kuwaiti Badr Al-Mutawa.
But he could hardly make an impact and ended his last World Cup in tears. Morocco fought with energy and skill, achieving what previous quarter-finalists Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana had failed to do.
Portugal made only one change from their 6-1 win over Switzerland: Ruben Neves, the Wolves midfielder, replaced William Carvalho, while Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui were both injured for Morocco, so Jawad El Yamiq and Yahya Attiat-Allah started.
Despite the many empty seats - fans reported chaotic scenes outside the stadium - the Moroccan fans in the stadium created an exciting atmosphere from the start.
The whistles were deafening when Portugal gained possession, and there was an early chance for the Atlas Lions when Joao Felix's header from a Bono free kick was blocked.
En-Nesyri drew attention with a header from a corner, and Felix came close again with a deflected shot that flew just over the bar, but the pace of Morocco's play and their willingness to attack in numbers gave the Portuguese a real boost.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The story continue…<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWorldCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWorldCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/KHLBWpHznE">pic.twitter.com/KHLBWpHznE</a></p>— Roger Milla (@roger_milla_9) <a href="https://twitter.com/roger_milla_9/status/1600497989654614016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
An impressive passing move led to the goal. En-Nesyri made a tremendous diving save from Diogo Costa and headed the ball into the net, causing an uproar in the stands.
Portugal almost responded with a daring volley over Bruno Fernandes' shoulder, but the ball smacked against the crossbar.
It took just six minutes of the second half, with Costa brilliantly parrying away an Hakim Ziyech free-kick, for Portugal coach Fernando Santos to turn to Ronaldo and Manchester City's Joao Cancelo.
Morocco was forced into a change, with captain Romain Saiss unable to continue due to a thigh blister and Achraf Dari taking his place.
Portugal looked to push forward and Goncalo Ramos, who had scored a hat-trick against Switzerland but barely featured here, headed just wide before Fernandes missed the target with another well-placed shot.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The final four 🇫🇷 🇭🇷 🇦🇷 🇲🇦 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWorldCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWorldCup</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Qatar2022?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Qatar2022</a> <a href="https://t.co/yRHBh6C7ZM">pic.twitter.com/yRHBh6C7ZM</a></p>— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1601730569963978755?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The most significant danger for Portugal came from Felix, whose shot from the edge of the box was saved by Bono, while Pepe should have scored with the last chance of the game.
Morocco was reduced to 10 men in injury time when Walid Cheddira picked up two quick yellow cards, but that was a small blip on a historic day.