Morocco becomes 1st African nation to reach World Cup semis; Portugal out
Morocco stunned Portugal 1-0 to reach the FIFA World Cup 2022 semi-finals in Qatar on Saturday (December 10).
Also read: FIFA World Cup 2022 semi-finals schedule, match times in IST
With this historic quarterfinal victory at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Morocco, which is ranked 22 in the world, became the first African nation to qualify for the World Cup last-four stage.
Also read: Full coverage of FIFA World Cup 2022
Previously, Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) were the African teams that had reached the quarterfinals but not beyond that phase.
Also read: Cristiano Ronaldo in tears as Portugal exits
Youssef En-Nesyri was the Moroccan hero as his goal in the 42nd minute was enough to give his team a win.
The first African team ever to reach the semi-finals of the #FIFAWorldCup, @EnMaroc 👏🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/zy1cISesYL
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) December 10, 2022
Morocco was reduced to 10 men when Walid Cheddira was shown the red card, after picking up a second yellow in stoppage time (90+3).
Portugal’s star player Cristiano Ronaldo was again on the bench at the start but was brought on as a substitute in the 51st minute.
In the semi-finals on December 15 (India time 12:30 AM), Morocco will play either England or France.
A historic pride of Atlas Lions 🦁@EnMaroc | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/MU9FMIRaHo
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 10, 2022
