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AL-THUMAMA (VG) (Morocco-Portugal 1-0) A gigantic error by the goalkeeper ruined the World Cup for Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo, who left the field in tears. Morocco is the first African team in World Cup history to reach a semi-final.
Portugal fought in vain. To the highest and longest pipe concert in the WC. Against the most ambitious defense of the World Cup. Against the upper hand: the fighting, Moroccan football heroes accompanied by crazy fans. Youssef En-Nesyri sent Morocco flying with the only goal of the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup ended here, and immediately after the end of the match he went straight to the locker room with tears streaming down his face. Whether that was the last thing the 37-year-old did in a soccer World Cup is debatable. He started from the bench, came in and was able to experience the pipe concert on his body.
In his resume he still doesn’t have a goal in the round of 16 of the World Cup. And even less a golden toilet.
Ronaldo could end his World Cup story with the biggest roar of jubilation. It just didn’t go to him, but to Morocco. It was quite a thing drone when referee Facundo Tello from Argentina exploded. A few minutes earlier he had sent off Moroccan substitute Walid Cheddira.
Portugal profiles Pepe and Bruno Fernandes said they believe the Argentine referee was wrong, as Argentina are set for the semi-final against Croatia.
– I don’t know if they will only deliver the trophy to Argentina. I’ll say what I think, I’ll go to hell with them. It is very strange to have a judge from a country that is still involved, Fernandes says according to Spain’s leading newspaper Marca.
– Unacceptable, says Pepe according to the Record newspaper.
Morocco captain Romain Saiss snorts as VG welcomes criticism from Fernandes.
– I just want to let him complain. We don’t choose judges and we didn’t complain. I think he just wants to make excuses, Saiss tells VG.
– If they had won the game, they would have had a different opinion. I can understand, because they are probably thinking about the duel between Lionel Messi and Ronaldo.
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World Cup match referees almost never talk to the press afterwards. VG has confronted FIFA with the Portuguese criticisms, without receiving a response so far.
Both Pepe and Fernandes claim the latter should have conceded a penalty just before the break. NRK pundit Andrine Hegerberg, however, said it would be a “cheap” penalty.
Bruno Fernandes stared disappointedly at the floor as he passed the interview area where VG was also.
Ronaldo was nowhere to be seen in the talks area following the incident, but partner Georgina Rodríguez criticizes coach Fernando Santos over his choice of squad.
– Your friend and coach made the wrong decision today. The friend for whom you have so many words of admiration and respect, Rodríguez writes in a “story” on Instagram with a photo of Ronaldo.
– You can’t underestimate the best player in the world, Rodríguez also reports.
Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) have all had a taste of a quarter-final, but this year Morocco go one step further. Morocco will face England or France in the semifinals.
Youssef En-Nesyri comes for always enter the history books as Morocco’s top scorer. It will also likely be some time before Portugal goalkeeper Diego Costa gets over his mistake in front of goal.
Perhaps it is small consolation for him that it was to the delight of nearly 40 million Moroccans.
Manchester City star Bernardo Silva apologizes to Portuguese fans, according to Disk.
– What I can say to all Portuguese, besides apologies, is a feeling of sadness and frustration for me and for the whole group, says Silva.
The Portuguese, sure of the ball, were able to control most things in the start. João Félix invented chances with both his head and his feet. As Morocco waited, before they arrived with a lot of speed and enthusiasm.
Moroccan fans alternated between beeps and roars in anticipation.
It intensified just before the break. Goalkeeper Diego Costa roared and just punched the air as Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri flew out.
1-0 in Morocco.
The “crazy” Moroccans could finally start singing.
Portugal manager Fernando Santos responded by bringing in Cristiano Ronaldo and João Cancelo early in the second half.
The Portuguese assault could begin. Bruno Fernandes, Pepe and Ronaldo tried their hand. But all have failed.
Morocco have conceded just one goal in the entire World Cup.
Since coach Walid Regragui arrived on 31 August, they are behind just one deficit in eight games. It came on in a 2-1 win over Canada in the WC.
