In front of 44,198 spectators at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Morocco made two changes to their starting XI: Bayern defender Noussair Mazraoui was ruled out through injury, while West Ham United’s Nayef Aguerd was also sidelined with an injury.
The Iberians started with a lot of power and came straight to the first opportunity. A cross from the inside right by Bruno Fernandes landed on the head of João Félix, Morocco goalkeeper Bono repelled the attempt from ten meters to the corner (5th). In the further course of the first half, a racy exchange of blows developed, without the very big goal chances.
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Three minutes before half-time, the Atlas lions took advantage of a blunder by Diogo Costa to score the opener: Yahia Attiyat Allah’s cross from the left saw the FC Porto goalkeeper reach for nothing and Youssef En-Nesyri headed the ball in from six meters away orphaned goal (42nd).
Portugal still had the best chance in the first half through Bruno Fernandes: A mixture of shot and cross from the right edge of the penalty area kissed the Moroccan crossbar (45′).
At the beginning of the second period, the North Africans failed to follow suit. Jawad El Yamiq extended a cross from Hakim Ziyech with the back of his head, Costa threw up his arms at the last moment (49′). At the latest following Ronaldo came on (51st), the Iberians also developed more pressure forward. Striker partner Gonçalo Ramos headed in just to the right of the goal at the penalty spot (58′).
Portugal’s pressure mounted, but the Atlas lions remained steadfast. Walid Regragui’s team consistently defended their own penalty area well into the second half.
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In the final phase, the events almost overturned. First Ronaldo failed from eight meters to Bono (90 + 1), then the substitute Walid Cheddira was warned within two minutes first with yellow (90 + 1) and then sent off with yellow-red (90 + 3) .
In the end, Zakaria Aboukhlal, who was also a substitute, had the decision on his feet, but his weak chip ball landed right in Costa’s arms (90+5). Portugal’s desperate final attacks, however, all bounced off, Morocco came through injury time unscathed and made their dream of a World Cup semi-final come true.
The votes for the game:
Walid Regragui (Morocco national team coach): “We don’t play the most beautiful football in the World Cup, but we do so with all the heart. We scored the goal and then defended our goal with all our heart. It’s very difficult to break us. Our homeland, the Arab world and Africa give us Energy, so many people behind us. We made history for Africa today. To be the first African team to reach the semi-finals is extraordinary. We have created a spirit that makes the people of this continent happy. Africa is on the football map . We used our capital, we were a team, we had the mentality.”
Fernando Santos (Nationaltrainer Portugal): “It always hurts to get eliminated from a World Cup. It took us a long time to get into the game. We didn’t make it. My players worked hard. Now they’re sad and disappointed. When we pick two people who care the most it’s Cristiano and I. We didn’t deserve to lose, but that’s football. I’ve already spoken to the president of the federation. When we return to Portugal we will talk regarding my contract with seriousness and calmness. Resignation is not one of them our vocabulary.”
Abdelhamid Sabiri (Marocco): “It’s an indescribable feeling, we’re in the semi-finals of a World Cup with Morocco, a country that nobody thought capable of. Now we’re striving for more. We’ve come this far and finally wanted to break the mold as an African team, we have that We did it today and we’re extremely happy regarding that. Every game at this World Cup with the Moroccan fans feels like a home game.”
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Pepe (Portugal): “We actually controlled the game well, but we didn’t manage to score a goal. We know we can beat any opponent in the world, but we didn’t manage to do it today. It can’t be that an Argentinian might change our game whistles. That can’t be the right man. Eight minutes of stoppage time – that was far too little.”
Sofiane Boufal (Morocco): “Everything we’ve achieved we deserve. I get goosebumps just talking regarding it. It’s really amazing. Good luck to France, I hope we meet them in the semi-finals. That would be really fantastic.”
Ruben Dias (Portugal): “We gave everything. In moments like this, it’s most important to gain more experience. We have a young generation of players with a lot of quality. We have to have confidence, none of that will be lost.”
The tweet regarding the game:
Never before has a representative from the African continent reached the semi-finals of a World Cup. Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) had previously failed in the quarterfinals.
That was noticed: referee Facundo Tello with a long leash
After 98 exciting minutes, Morocco’s semi-final dream finally came true. The North Africans put up an impressive fight throughout the game. The very good refereeing performance by Argentinian Facundo Tello also matched the hard-fought game. Up until the 70th minute, the referee got by without a warning and left the players on a long leash. This ensured a high flow of play and a lot of speed. He assessed the critical scenes in the penalty area quickly and correctly. Walid Cheddira’s somewhat stupid yellow-red card was okay – even if the Portuguese were upset followingwards regarding his leadership.
Statistics: 3
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