Morocco creates the sensation, beating Portugal 1-0 and becoming the first African country to reach a World Cup semi-final.
The decisive scene: Youssef En-Nesyri (above) is in front of Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa and heads in to make it 1-0 for Morocco.
Ever since Cameroon 1990 and Roger Milla’s legendary dances, the football world has been waiting for this moment. He was often predicted, sometimes he seemed very close, but then again far away in the last few tournaments. On a cool December evening – by Qatari standards – it happened. The first African country to ever reach a World Cup round of 16 (1986) is also the first in history to reach a World Cup semi-final as of yesterday. In front of 44,198 frantic spectators at the Al Thumama Stadium, Morocco beat favorites Portugal 1-0.
En-Nesyri is the match winner
“That’s why football is the best sport!” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui. He celebrated the “great message to my country, to our continent, to the whole world, that supposedly small teams like us can dream”. Regragui, 47, is Moroccan himself, which gives the historic coup a special touch given the long tradition of foreign coaches in Africa. “Heart, tactics and the love of the fans,” he said on Saturday as the recipe for success and laughingly compared Morocco’s outsider football in recent games with that of Atlético Madrid under defensive fetishist Diego Simeone: “We don’t leave any space, we run a lot and have technically good players .»
After all, in the first half, Morocco did not let themselves be pushed back by Portugal as persistently as by Spain in the round of 16. After an incredibly high jump, Youssef En-Nesyri headed the ball over the line to score the winning goal, the Sevilla FC center forward also benefited from goalkeeper Diogo Costa rushing out of the goal. The expected defensive battle followed. Bruno Fernandes’ attempted response smacked the crossbar before half-time.
In the closing stages, Morocco goalkeeper Bono brilliantly parried a flick from João Félix (83′) and in the seventh minute of added time, veteran defender Pepe headed just wide of the goal. Morocco’s relieved defender Jawad El Yamiq then kissed his bald head; still a little “one love” at this World Cup.
Morocco has become the pan-Arab darling
As against Spain, Morocco was helped in critical moments by the red wall of their fans, who accompanied every ball relay from the opponent with deafening whistles. Exactly where they came from – what role did it play? Morocco has long since become the pan-Arab darling. The players celebrated the historic victory with a two-part flag, half Morocco, half Qatar, and also with a Palestinian flag.
Between their scenes of jubilation there were a few Portuguese, stunned by the elimination of their highly talented team. For Pepe, 39, that was the end of his personal World Cup story. And she probably did that for Cristiano Ronaldo, 37, who, like against Switzerland, was only substituted on. He left the pitch first and crying after the final whistle. He left without ever scoring a goal in the World Cup knockout stages. And against one of his favorite holiday destinations, Morocco: By Saturday at the latest, it had put itself on the football map forever.
Morocco 1-0 Portugal (1-0). Al Thumama Stadium, Doha. 44 198 spectators. – Referee: Tello (ARG). – Goal: 42. In Nesyri 1-0. – Morocco: bono; Hakimi, El Yamiq, Saïss (57th Dari), Attiyat Allah; amrabat; Ounahi, Amallah (65th Cheddira); Ziyech (Aboukhlal 82), En Nesyri (Benoun 65), Boufal (Jabrane 82). – Portugal: Diogo Costa; Dalot (Horta 80), Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro (Cancello 51); Neves (51st Ronaldo); Bernardo Silva, Otavio (69th Vitinha); Fernandes, Ramos (Leao 69), Joao Felix. – Remarks: Morocco without Mazraoui and Aguerd (both injured). Portugal without Mendes and Pereira (both injured). 45. Crossbar Fernandes. 57. Saïss is substituted off injured. 80. Dalot is substituted injured. 82. Ziyech is substituted off injured. 93. Yellow-red card Cheddira. Cautions: 70 Dari, 92 Cheddira.