MOROCCO 1-0 PORTGUAL: Full-time!
THEY’VE DONE IT!
Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls. You are witnessing HISTORY!
The first African nation to ever reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. The first Arab nation to ever reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Belgium, Spain, Portugal…maybe further down the line it will be England or France.
Nobody can begrudge Morocco a place in the final four. As we expected, Portugal dominated possession in the early stages of the first half and Morocco were prepared to pick their moment to hit them on the counter-attack. As the first half progressed, they opened up and created the best chances of the half, with Youssef En-Nesyri missing two good chances before opening the scoring just before half-time after a goalkeeping mistake from Diogo Costa.
The second half was an exercise of defence against attack, for the large majority. They were put under the cosh by Portugal at different periods but defended for their lives, gave up few opportunities and carried a threat on the counter-attack. The Portuguese struggled to open the up and Morocco had chances to finish the game off on the break, which they didn’t take. That set up a tense finale but they pulled through thanks to Bono’s superb save from Félix and Pepe’s miss right at the death.
This is just the third time that Portugal have reached the quarter-final stage but they’ll feel they’ve missed an opportunity to go further, given that they had what was perceived as a ‘favourable’ draw. Surely Cristiano Ronaldo, who’ll be 41 by the time the 2026 World Cup comes around, will never have another chance to add the World Cup trophy to his collection of honours.
Update on Youtube Youssef En Nesyri Goal | Morocco vs Portugal | Qatar World Cup 2022
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Morocco vs Portugal
