[ad_1]
Morocco turned the primary African nation to achieve the World Cup semi-finals with a 1-0 victory over Portugal on Saturday at Al Thumama Stadium, owing to Youssef En-first-half Nesyri’s purpose.
The Atlas Lions, the primary Arab crew to achieve the quarterfinals, added Portugal to their checklist of European victims with a tenacious second-half efficiency.
Cristiano Ronaldo has more than likely performed his closing World Cup match after approaching as a second-half substitute and failing to attain his first knockout-phase purpose of the match.
Taking to Twitter, the singer of the well-known FIFA 2010 world cup official track, Shakira wrote, “This time for Africa”.
This time for Africa!! 👏🇲🇦 #WorldCup
— Shakira (@shakira) December 10, 2022
Morocco seized the lead within the forty second minute because of En-header Nesyri’s as they got here on sturdy late within the first interval.
Portugal poured on the strain after the half, however Morocco held on regardless of being decreased to 10 males in further time, regardless of being with out three of their 4 first-choice defenders when skipper Romain Saiss was taken off.
The North Africans had been clearly aided by the partisan crowd, however Portugal struggled to provide many clear-cut probabilities as they misplaced a World Cup quarter-final for the primary time.
5-time Winner of the Ballon d’Or Coach Fernando Santos despatched on Ronaldo early within the second half, however he could not save the Euro 2016 champions.
As an alternative, it was one other memorable day for Morocco, who had beforehand upset Belgium and Spain on penalties in Qatar.
Walid Regragui’s males will face both England or holders France within the semi-finals on Wednesday at Al Bayt Stadium.
Morocco will consider they will beat both of these groups, regardless of having solely surrendered as soon as on this World Cup.
Portugal had the vast majority of possession within the first half-hour, however Joao Felix’s fifth-minute diving header was saved by goalie Yassine Bounou.
Morocco, however, remained harmful, with Selim Amallah ballooning a shot over and Sofiane Boufal curling straight at Diogo Costa for the Africans.
[ad_2]
Source link