Morocco turns into first African group to succeed in World Cup semifinals, beats Portugal 1-0December 10, 2022

Africa lastly has a group within the World Cup semifinals, and so does the Arab world.

Morocco delivered a seminal second within the practically 100-year historical past of soccer’s largest event, beating Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal group 1-0 Saturday within the one other surprising end result within the first World Cup staged within the Center East.

Whereas a tearful Ronaldo headed proper down the tunnel – and perhaps into worldwide retirement – after the ultimate whistle, Morocco’s gamers tossed their coach within the air and waved their nation’s flag as they linked arms in entrance of celebrating followers.

“Pinch me, I’m dreaming,” Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou stated. “Morocco is able to face anybody on the planet. We’ve got modified the mentality of the era coming after us. They’ll know Moroccan gamers can create miracles.”

Youssef En-Nesyri scored the profitable purpose within the forty second minute to proceed an unbelievable run that has generated an outpouring of delight within the Arab world, inspiring shows in Arab id from followers in numerous international locations.

Africa can also be rejoicing at lastly having a nation advancing to the degrees usually solely reached by European or South American groups. Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) all reached the quarterfinals however bought no additional.

Morocco has damaged via, establishing a semi-final match towards both France or England.

The 37-year-old Ronaldo, one among soccer’s biggest gamers however now a fading pressure, didn’t begin for the second straight sport and got here on in its place within the 51st minute. He missed his solely likelihood to equalize in stoppage time.

The five-time world participant of the yr is ready to complete his profession with out capturing the World Cup or ever attending to the ultimate. He walked proper off the sector after the ultimate whistle, solely briefly stopped by two Morocco gamers wishing to shake his hand and a spectator who confronted him close to the doorway to the tunnel, and was crying as he headed to the locker room.

If that is the tip for Ronaldo at worldwide stage, he’ll end with 118 targets – a document in males’s soccer – and a European Championship title however not soccer’s largest prize. He solely bought so far as the semifinals within the World Cup, in 2006.

“Our gamers are distressed,” stated Portugal coach Fernando Santos, who shrugged off questions on his personal future and added that he didn’t remorse not beginning Ronaldo. “Cristiano is a good participant and he got here on once we thought it was essential. However no, no regrets.”

There’s no cause why this Morocco squad – coached by French-born Walid Regragui and containing 14 gamers born overseas – can not go all the best way to the title. They topped a gaggle that included second-ranked Belgium and fellow semifinalist Croatia and have now taken down two of Europe’s heavyweights in Spain – after a penalty shootout within the spherical of 16 – and Portugal within the quarterfinals.

“We’ve got gone into the historical past books,” Regragui stated. “We’ve got made the continent and our individuals joyful and proud.”

Morocco’s defence has but to concede a purpose by an opposition participant at this yr’s World Cup – the one one it has allowed was an own-goal – and it stifled a Portugal group which beat Switzerland 6-1 within the final 16 to thrust itself among the many favourites.

In a sport performed to the backdrop of continuous whistles and jeers by Morocco’s passionate followers, the group relied nearly completely on counterattacks and scored from one among them.

A cross was swung in from the left and En-Nesyri leapt between Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa and defender Ruben Dias to go into the empty internet.

Ronaldo, who can be 41 by the point of the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada, barely bought a contact of the ball till stoppage time when he bought in behind Morocco’s defence off a protracted ball ahead. His low shot was saved by Bounou, who hadn’t had an excessive amount of to do earlier than that time.

Substitute Walid Cheddira was proven a pink card for Morocco early in stoppage time for accumulating a second yellow card in as many minutes.

After Portugal centre again Pepe headed broad from contained in the six-yard field within the sixth minute of added time, Ronaldo fell to his knees in dejection.

Whereas Lionel Messi can be within the semifinals with Argentina, the opposite soccer nice of this era gained’t be.