10-man Morocco defeated Portugal 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup encounter at Al-Thumama Stadium on Saturday.
Youssef En-Nesyri scored the only goal of the match just before the half time break. Portugal pushed hard for an equaliser in the second half but failed to find the much needed goal.
The Atlas Lions finished the match with 10-man after Walid Cheddira was shown a red card towards the end of the match.
ATLAS LIONS MAKE HISTORY
With the victory, Morocco became the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals. Only Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) came close by reaching the quarterfinals.
Morocco are yet to concede a goal by an opposition player at the tournament, the only goal they let in was an own goal against Canada.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui lauded the team spirit following the victory.
“We came up against a really great Portugal team,” Regragui was quoted by French television network TF1.
“We’re drawing on all we have, we still have guys injured. I told the guys before the match we had to write history for Africa. I’m very, very happy,” he said.
Regragui remains the only African born coach to take an African nation to the last four of the World Cup.
MORE REACTION FROM MOROCCO
”It’s really, really, really unbelievable,” said midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.
“I’m so proud. We deserve this 1000%. That’s just how we fight and play, with our heart, for our country and for our people. We had some injuries and to have three defenders go in and defend like that, big respect. Big respect for everybody – for the fans, for the coach, for everyone.”
Meanwhile, SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan has also congratulated Morocco for their achievement.
“Congratulations to Morocco. A first for Africa, first team in the semi-finals of a World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1930,” said Jordaan.
“Africa waited for 92 years. Absolutely wonderful. A wonderful achievement for the Confederation of African Football under the leadership of our President Dr Patrice Motsepe. This is Africa’s best performance at a FIFA World Cup.”
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