Caitlin Dillon
Morocco caused another huge upset at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 as they eliminated Portugal from the competition to become the first African team in history to reach semi-finals of the World Cup.
A header from Youssef En-Nesyri at the end of the first half was enough for Walid Regragui’s men to pull off another stunner, to set up a semi-final fixture against either England or France.
Portugal almost got ahead in the fifth minute, when a João Félix header was denied by Morocco’s Yassine Bounou.
Moments later, En-Nesyri headed home Yahya Arriyat-Allah’s cross to put Morocco a goal up just three minutes before half time, beating Diogo Costa to the ball in an error that would prove to be fatal for the Portuguese.
Portugal’s Bruno Fernandes came close to equalising minutes later, but the attempt hit the crossbar.
Morocco sat back for the majority of the second half, and Bounou made some brilliant saves to deny the competition a chance of getting back in the game.
Things looked as though they could turn around in added time as Morocco striker Walid Cheddira was sent off for a second yellow card, but Portugal could not find the equaliser - dashing their last-four hopes.
Morocco will find out their semi-final opponent later on, as England take on France in the ultimate quarter-final of the competition at 10pm at Al Bayt Stadium.
Their semi-final matchup will take place on Wednesday the 14th of December at 10pm.
Cristiano Ronaldo and João Cancelo came off the bench for Portugal, and they almost equalised in the 58th minute but Gonçalo Ramos could only head just wide when a cross found him on the penalty spot.
Portugal continued pressing for an equaliser and almost got one in the 83rd minute, but Bono made a super save to tip Félix’s swerving strike over the bar.
Morocco were then reduced to 10 men in stoppage time, when substitute Walid Cheddira was shown a second yellow card for a studs up challenge on Félix.
Zakaria Aboukhlal then had a brilliant chance to wrap up the victory when he was sent racing through on goal in the 96th minute, but his tame finish with dealt with comfortably by Costa.
Nevertheless, Portugal were unable to find an equaliser, and Morocco marched into the final four.