Ronaldo weeps bitter tears
Outsiders Morocco make football history
12/10/2022 5:57 p.m
Morocco is the first African and the first Arab country to reach the semi-finals of a soccer World Cup: With the victory over Portugal, the team also ends Cristiano Ronaldo’s dream of a World Cup. The superstar clinched a world record but couldn’t stop Morocco from historic success.
While superstar Cristiano Ronaldo disappeared crying in the cabin aisle, the deafening cheering of the Moroccan football fans in the stadium didn’t end. Like after the Spain game, players and coaches threw their coach Walid Regragui in the air. Shortly thereafter, the new World Cup heroes – half Qatari, half Morocco – ran to their supporters behind the goal they had defended so stubbornly with a flag – half Qatari, half Morocco.
The olé-olé-olé chants resounded loudly through the stadium, the outsider’s dream journey continues after a 1-0 (1-0) win against Portugal. Morocco became the first African team ever to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup thanks to Youssef En-Nesyri’s winning goal (42nd minute). The North Africans ended the duel in the Al-Thumama Stadium with ten men, substitute Walid Cheddira saw the yellow-red card in the hectic final phase (90+3).
“We had the mentality”
“Africa is back on the football map today,” said coach Regragui after the end of the game. “We had the mentality, we used our capital. We knew we could make history for Africa. I’m very happy,” said the 47-year-old. “We had the right attitude for our people, for us, for Africa. It’s always difficult for us African coaches. You don’t think we can deal tactically with teams like that.”
Abdelhamid Sabiri, who trained as a footballer in Germany, added: “It’s an indescribable feeling.” You keep watching from game to game, “hopefully things will continue like today.” Coach Regragui’s team caused huge cheers not only among the 44,198 mostly Moroccan spectators with the quarter-final triumph, but also in the African and Arab world. The Moroccans are now demanding the winner of the game between defending champions France and European runners-up England on Wednesday (8:00 p.m.).
The Portuguese were very disappointed. “We struggled in the first half, it took us a long time to get into the game,” explained coach Fernando Santos. “The players wanted to, but we couldn’t play to our full potential even when we had chances.” Defender Pepe was annoyed with the referee: “They came in front of our goal once in the first half and scored. They interrupted every move we made with fouls, but the referee hardly intervened.” The second half was similar: “The goalkeeper delayed the game, many small fouls, but the referee didn’t give a yellow card.”
The outsider from Morocco went into the biggest game in his football history to date with a severe handicap: defenders Noussair Mazraoui from FC Bayern and Nayef Aguerd from West Ham United had to sit out injured. The attrition against Spain in the previous round had left its mark. The North Africans, who had conceded just one goal in the previous four World Cup games, went visibly more aggressively against Portugal. They almost went 1-0 after five minutes when goalkeeper Bono, the hero of the penalty shoot-out against Spain, managed to deflect João Félix’s header to a corner.
Portugal runs in vain
The Portuguese otherwise showed a lot of respect for the opponent, in which the right flank in particular made a name for itself with Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea and ex-Dortmunder Achraf Hakimi from Paris Saint-Germain. In addition, the Europeans had to listen to shrill whistles from Morocco’s fans whenever they touched the ball. Then the Africans struck: Goalkeeper Diogo Costa sailed past a cross ball and the powerful jumper from Sevilla, En-Nesyri, headed in to take the lead. Ronaldo made a face on the substitutes’ bench.
Moments later, Morocco were lucky when a cross from Bruno Fernandes landed on the crossbar of Bono’s goal in what was now a thrilling game. After the break, it wasn’t long before Ronaldo was allowed to play. The Africans threw themselves into each tackle with passion to defend their lead as wave after wave of Portuguese attacks rolled towards Bono’s goal.
A central shot from Fernandes hissed over the bar, otherwise Morocco’s wall stood. Bono deflected a dangerous João Félix shot over the bar and also thwarted Ronaldo’s attempt early in eight minutes of added time. Zakaria Aboukhlal carelessly missed the 2-0 (90+6) on the counterattack. In the end, the Moroccans still celebrated because Pepe headed wide of the post shortly afterwards.