FIFA World Cup 2022: Morocco Stun Portugal, Become First-Ever African Country To Reach Semifinals

It was a Moroccan miracle, a watershed moment in African football history. Never previously in the tournament's nine-decade existence had an African team qualified for the semifinals.

Players of Morocco celebrate victory after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarterfinal match between Morocco and Portugal at Al Thumama Stadium

Source : Getty

Morocco became the first African country to reach the World Cup semi-finals with a 1-0 victory over Portugal on Saturday at Al Thumama Stadium, owing to Youssef En-first-half Nesyri's goal.

The Atlas Lions, the first Arab team to reach the quarterfinals, added Portugal to their list of European victims with a tenacious second-half performance. 

Cristiano Ronaldo has most likely played his final World Cup match after coming on as a second-half substitute and failing to score his first knockout-phase goal of the tournament.

Taking to Twitter, the singer of the famous FIFA 2010 world cup official song, Shakira wrote, "This time for Africa".

This time for Africa!! 👏🇲🇦 #WorldCup

— Shakira (@shakira) December 10, 2022

Morocco seized the lead in the 42nd minute thanks to En-header Nesyri's as they came on strong late in the first period.

Portugal poured on the pressure after the half, but Morocco held on despite being reduced to 10 men in additional time, despite being without three of their four first-choice defenders when skipper Romain Saiss was taken off.

The North Africans were obviously aided by the partisan crowd, but Portugal struggled to produce many clear-cut chances as they lost a World Cup quarter-final for the first time.

Five-time Winner of the Ballon d'Or Coach Fernando Santos sent on Ronaldo early in the second half, but he couldn't save the Euro 2016 champions.

Instead, it was another memorable day for Morocco, who had previously upset Belgium and Spain on penalties in Qatar.

Walid Regragui's men will face either England or holders France in the semi-finals on Wednesday at Al Bayt Stadium.

Morocco will believe they can beat either of those teams, despite having only surrendered once in this World Cup.

Portugal had the majority of possession in the first half-hour, but Joao Felix's fifth-minute diving header was saved by goalie Yassine Bounou.

Morocco, on the other hand, remained dangerous, with Selim Amallah ballooning a shot over and Sofiane Boufal curling straight at Diogo Costa for the Africans.