The Atlas Lions of Morocco are through to the semi finals of the FIFA World Cup after a 1-0 win over Portugal thanks to a first half header by Youssef En-Nesyri.
Walid Regragui made it nine games since his appointment as the country’s new manager in August, which has neither produced a defeat nor a goal scored against them by an opposing player.
Three minutes before the end of the first 45 minutes, Sevilla striker, En-Nesyri rose highest to beat Diogo Costa to a Yahia Attiat-Allah cross and hand the Africans the only goal of the match.
Portugal pushed for an equaliser and came close on multiple occasions but a resolute defence would not be beaten even after captain, Romain Saiss was taken off injured.
Morocco started the game with only two of their regular four man defence due to the absence of both Noussair Mazraouri and the injured Naif Argued and in the second half, Saiss was taken off injured, leaving Achraf Hakimi the only part of them to see out the game.
Substitute striker, Walid Cheddira was sent off for a second yellow due to a late challenge on Joao Felix, moments after getting booked for an elbow on Pepe but Morocco held on and protected their one goal advantage.
Cristiano Ronaldo after coming on as a substitute just after half time equals men’s all-time record for most international caps with his 196th, which could as well be his last following their World Cup exit.
The five time Ballon d’Or winner could do nothing to waive the fate of elimination away from his nation as his shot in extra time was saved and gathered on a second attempt by Yassine Bonou, who has only been beaten by his own man, Naif Argued so far in Qatar.
Portugal failed to reach the semi finals, falling to their second defeat in three games against the Atlas Lions, who made history by becoming the first African or Arab nation to reach the semi finals of the FIFA World Cup.
What a remarkable run they are having out there in Qatar. Already played against Croatia, Belgium, Spain and now Portugal yet did not concede a single goal.
They await the winner of France – England tonight to know their semi final opponent.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi