Morocco is in the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar, a first for an African country after the quarter-finals of Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010). Four days after their performance against Spain in the 8th round (0-0, 3 shots on target to 0), the Atlas Lions again thwarted predictions by knocking down Portugal (1-0), which Switzerland had corrected in the previous round (6-1).
The hero of the evening is Youssef En-Nesyri, striker of Sevilla FC who scored the only goal of the match in the 42nd minute with a header. Fernando Santos’ men did everything they could to equalize (73% possession), including bringing Cristiano Ronaldo (51st), still a substitute at the kick-off, into play. But nothing worked: Morocco is writing history.
The players of Walid Regragui will face the winner of the last quarter, the French team against England, in the semi-final on Saturday 10 December (8 p.m.). A clash between the Blues and the Moroccans on Wednesday, December 14 (8 p.m.) would necessarily have a very special character. In the first half, Tuesday, December 13 (8 p.m.), Argentina will take on Croatia.
Ronaldo in tears
Aware of the Moroccans’ defensive discipline, Portugal had started by pressing high to get the ball back quickly and then moving down to try and get their opponent out before jabbing them with the precision of Fernandes’ long game . A plan that could have worked quickly if Felix had been sharper (5th).
But Bounou, then coming up (74th, 83rd) at the height of Portugal’s second half advance, tortured his vis-à-vis. In the pitfall, Fernando Santos had no choice but to quickly bring in (51st) Ronaldo Ramos, author of a hat-trick against Switzerland, was transparent this time.
The 196th cap of CR7, new co-holder of the number of international selections, has allowed Portugal to maintain its grip on the game, but not to equalize despite a duel of the star with Bounou (90th). The Portuguese can only blame themselves because against the Moroccans who lost Saïss (57th) and logically suffered after all the efforts so far, they had several situations to come back to score.
Morocco ends at 10
But when they met no stubborn guard, Fernandes, who had already touched the crossbar just after the opener (43rd), saw the frame slip away (64th). However, the exclusion of Cheddira (90 + 3) did not deviate from his course Morocco, which has only conceded one goal since the start of the World Cup. At times he was on the verge of breaking, but he even managed to win a fourth “clean sheet” in five games.
In tears after this tragic scenario for Portugal, Ronaldo, increasingly challenged within the Seleçao, now has the opportunity to indicate the continuation he wants to give to his career at the age of 37.
Technical paper :
World Cup 2022 – Quarter Finals
In Doha (Al Thumama Stadium): Morocco beat Portugal 1-0 (1-0 at halftime)
Spectators: 44,198
Referee: Facundo Tello (ARG)
Target :
Morocco: En-Nesyri (42)
Warnings:
Morocco: Dari (70), Cheddira (90+2)
Portugal: Vitinha (87)
disclaimer:
Morocco: Cheddira (90+3, 2nd warning)
Possession:
Morocco: 27%
Portugal: 73%
The teams :
Morocco: Bounou – Hakimi, Saiss (cap) (Dari 58), Yamiq, Attiyallah – Ounahi, S. Amrabat, Amallah (Cheddira 65) – Ziyech (Aboukhlal 82), En-Nesyri (Banoune 65), Boufal (Jabrane 82)
Trainer: Walid Regragui
Portugal: Costa – Dalot (Ricardo Horta 79), Pepe (cap), Dias, Guerreiro (Cancelo 51) – B. Silva, Neves (Cristiano Ronaldo 51), Otavio (Vitinha 69) – B. Fernandes, Ramos (Leão 69) , Felix
Trainer: Fernando Santos
