History made: Youssef En-Nesyri celebrates his famous winning goal for Morocco in Qatar
(Picture: REUTERS)Morocco made history as the first African nation ever to reach the World Cup semi-finals after another shock victory over Portugal in Qatar.
The Atlas Lions have bettered the efforts of Cameroon at Italia 90, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010 thanks to a leaping header before half-time from Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri at Al Thumama Stadium, punishing some erratic goalkeeping from Diogo Costa to notch what proved to be the winning goal.
Morocco will play either England or France in a historic last-four clash at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday night after following up their incredible penalty-shootout defeat of Spain in the last-16 with another significant upset, withstanding the late sending off of substitute Walid Cheddira for two yellow card offences in the space of 60 seconds in second-half stoppage time.
It’s a chastening World Cup exit for Portugal, who once again left talisman Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench after his high-profile dropping for the 6-1 thrashing of Switzerland, with his early second-half introduction not enough to turn the tide as he equalled the men’s international record with his 196th senior cap.
Only Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa has represented his country as many times as the six-time Ballon d’Or winner, whose international future will now be subject to doubt.
Ronaldo was left in tears at the full-time whistle as Morocco’s players celebrated jubilantly in front of what felt like a home crowd, knowing that was surely his last chance at World Cup glory.
The former Manchester United star will be 41 by the time the next tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico rolls around in 2026.
Portugal certainly weren’t without their chances to reach a third World Cup semi-final, with Bruno Fernandes going closest with a Marco van Basten-esque effort on the stroke of half-time that thundered back off the crossbar.
Joao Felix also had opportunities, while Portugal saw several penalty claims waved away by Argentine referee Facundo Tello.
As Portugal pushed for that elusive equaliser late on, Ronaldo fired a tame effort straight at goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, while Pepe somehow headed wide at the back post with the goal gaping.
