The only goal of the match was scored by Youssef En-Nesyri’s header in the 42nd minute. For a place in the final, Morocco will face either France or England.
From the publisher
LThe Orocco achieved a historic feat as they beat Portugal 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Doha on Saturday, becoming the first African team to qualify for the semi-finals of a World Cup. The only goal of the match was scored by Youssef En-Nesyri’s header in the 42nd minute. For a place in the final, Morocco will face either France or England.
Portugal started the match with a bang with a close-range header from Joao Felix, forcing Yassine Bounou to intervene (4th).
After this great occasion, Morocco reproduced the tactic that had allowed them to keep Croatia in check, beat Belgium and eliminate Spain in the round of 16. The Lusitanians dominated and had the ball, but they broke their teeth on the Moroccan organization grouped in front of their rectangle.
The Atlas Lions capitalized on one of their rare outings by finding opening through Youssef En-Nesyri. The striker was faster than the Portuguese goalkeeper, who missed completely, and headed Yahya Attiat-Allah’s cross (42nd, 1-0).
The end of the half comes and Bruno Fernandes thinks his team are level, but his shot crashes into the crossbar (45′).
Despite the entry into the game of Cristiano Ronaldo (51st) and Rafael Leao (69th) in attack, the Lusitanians were unable to extricate themselves from the trap woven by the Moroccans, despite the superb launch of Joao Felix who spun under Bounou , author of a superb save (82nd).
He intervened once again in stoppage time on an attempt by Cristiano Ronaldo, on the verge of offside.
Starting behind the Portuguese defense in the 95th minute, Zakaria Aboukhlal missed the knockout goal, but without consequences for his national team, saved a minute later by Pepe’s clumsiness in front of Bounou.
The score did not change and Morocco maintained their historic qualification for the semi-finals.
