Morocco created history by becoming the first African nation ever to reach a semi-final of the FIFA World Cup.
Morocco entered the quarterfinal after defeating Spain while Portugal came into the match on the back of an emphatic 6-1 victory over Switzerland.
A solitary goal by En-Nesyri and excellent organisation in defence, led by the safest hands in the tournament, their keeper Bono took them to the semi-finals.
Portugal attacked from the start. As early as the 4th minute, Felix placed a header on target but it was pushed out for a corner by keeper Bono.
Morocco’s star player Ziyech, who appeared to be having an injury, produced the first opportunity for Morocco when he sent a cross but En-Nesyri headed it over the crossbar.
En-Nesyri made amendment when he rose high above the Portugal defender Dias to head the ball into the net. Protugal keeper Diego Costa came out to collect the cross but was unable to reach as En-Nesyri headed in with Dias in between him and Costa.
Skywalker 🆙#MAR | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/XscSNSHzlW
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 10, 2022
Diego Costa had made a monumental error while En-Nesyri made a proper centre forward goal as Morocco got the lead they were searching for.
Bruno Fernandes hit the cross bar in the 45th minute.
But Portugal were unable to find the equaliser as they went into the half trailing by a goal.
Ronaldo came on as a substitute in the 51st minute as Portugal searched for an equalizer, earning his 196th international cap recognised by FIFA.
All-time leading appearance makers in men’s international football ⚽️
196 – Cristiano Ronaldo🇵🇹
196 – Bader Al-Mutawa🇰🇼 #FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/p41BFcI9oS— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 10, 2022
In the 58th minute, Portugal forward Goncalo Ramos got a clear header from close range, but headed the ball wide.
Bruno Fernandes had a shot from the dge of the penalty area but it went just over the cross bar.
In the 83rd minute, Felix had an excellent shot on goal but yet again, it was saved by Bono.
The officials added eight extra minutes.
Ronaldo nearly found the equaliser when he beat the offside trap and sent in a first tough shot to the near corner, however, Bono got to it and recovered quickly to collect the rebound.
Portugal had the last opportunity in the 7th minute of extra time but Pepe’s header from close range went wide.
Morocco are in the World Cup semifinals and not a single team has scored on them all tournament 😳 pic.twitter.com/s7ibpQN3QH
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 10, 2022
A resolute Morocco backline and an effective midfield had denied the free-flowing Portugal side.
Morocco by defeating Portugal made history as they became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of FIFA World Cup, which was started in 1930.
Morocco will take on the winner of the France-England quarterfinal match.
