World Cup: ecstasy Morocco, out goes Ronaldo. Africa in semifinals for the first time

Morocco beat Portugal 1-0, En-Nesyri’s goal decisive

Morocco makes World Cup history: for the first time an African selection reaches the semifinals of the rainbow event. Walid Regragui’s team accomplished the feat by overcoming Portugal 1-0 in the quarterfinals thanks to a goal by En-Nesyri, who took advantage of a mistake by Diogo Costa in the exit. The entries of Leao and Ronaldo were not enough, Santos’ team did not materialize under goal and was out: now Morocco will face the winner of England-France for a place in the final.

A hard-fought first half with Morocco countering Portugal’s initiatives blow by blow. The Lusitanians kept possession of the ball but found little space in the defense of the Africans, who tried to sting on the counter-attack.

The balance is broken in the 42nd minute by Portugal’s goalkeeper Diogo Costa’s serious mistake: the Porto defender comes out empty on Attiat-Allah’s cross, and En-Nesyr takes advantage and signs the 1-0 lead with a header. Portugal’s reaction is rabid, Bruno Fernandes hits the crossbar, then the Lusitanians ask for a penalty for an alleged foul against the Manchester United player, not granted by referee Tello.

Resuming, Portugal does not shake, and Fernando Santos clings to Cristiano Ronaldo, on the pitch for Ruben Neves. Cancelo is also in. Morocco shortly thereafter loses captain Saiss, replaced by Dari.

Regragui’s team suffers but resists Portugal’s assaults: they play in one half of the field but on the counterattack the Lions of the Atlas try to close out the game. In the 69th minute Santos changes again, inserting Rafael Leao for Ramos, and Vitinha for Otavio.

Portugal unbalanced desperately in search of an equalizer and lent its flank to Morocco, which tried to show up on the counter-attack. In the 83rd minute Bounou’s splendid save on Joao Felix, in the 91st minute he repeated in a big way on Ronaldo, then was lucky on Pepe’s header that he put just wide.

Morocco defended by gritting its teeth, and in the 93rd minute even found itself down to 10 for Cheddira’s naive double yellow card. The triple whistle is a release, and the beginning of a great national celebration.