Youssef En-Yesri’s towering header within the forty second minute proved to be the tie-breaker
The Atlas Lions of Morocco continued their fairy story run within the 2022 World Cup on Saturday as they beat Portugal 1-0 to qualify for the semi-final stage of the Mundial after an exhilarating encounter on the Al Thumama Stadium.
Youssef En-Yesri’s towering header within the forty second minute proved to be the tie-breaker as Morocco grew to become the primary African workforce ever to qualify for the semi-final of the World Cup.
Although Cristiano Ronaldo was introduced in early within the second half, the 37-year-old was unable to rescue his workforce as his quest for the elusive World Cup trophy went up in flames but once more although he achieved one other report of the most-capped participant
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Portugal and Morocco loved contrasting fortunes going into Saturday’s semi-final contest, with the previous having fun with a thumping 6-1 win over Switzerland and the Lions squeezing by means of with a penalty shootout win over Spain.
It was the Portuguese who began on the entrance foot, coming near breaking the impasse simply 5 minutes into the sport.
A terrific ball in from the suitable flank was headed on track by a stooping Joao Felix, however Moroccan keeper Bono was equal to the duty denying Portugal an early lead.
Morocco have been fast to offer an instantaneous response with a swift counter-attack with Hakim Ziyech‘s delivering a cross to leaping En-Nesyri, who could not hold the ball on track.
Whereas Portugal dominated the possession, Morocco have been contended with sitting again and launching occasional counterattacks.
Because the clock ticked down within the first half, Morocco’s second of magic got here within the forty second minute when En-Nesyri soared into the air, excessive above Ruben Dias, to go previous Costa, who got here out and was in no-man’s-land.
Bruno Fernandes virtually supplied an instantaneous equaliser for Portugal, however his thunderous effort rattled the crossbar.
The second half provided a handful of probabilities for either side with Ronaldo himself coming near scoring however it was to not be because the Atlas Lions who completed with 10 males held on for a well-known victory that has now taken them into the semi-final the place they are going to face both France or England.