Youssef En-Nesyri of Morocco soars excessive to move the ball and rating the workforce’s first purpose throughout Morocco-Portugal quarterfinal on the World Cup in Qatar on December 10, 2022.

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Youssef En-Nesyri of Morocco soars excessive to move the ball and rating the workforce’s first purpose throughout Morocco-Portugal quarterfinal on the World Cup in Qatar on December 10, 2022.

Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Morocco is not achieved but on the 2022 World Cup. The satisfaction of Africa and the Arab world defeated one more European powerhouse to achieve the semifinals with a 1-0 victory over Portugal.

Portugal got here in favored to win and dominated possession your complete sport. But Morocco as soon as once more discovered a option to win at this World Cup in Qatar.

The sport’s solely purpose got here simply earlier than halftime within the forty second minute when Morocco’s Yahya Attiat-Allah lofted a ball in entrance of the Portugal purpose and Youssef En-Nesyri soared excessive and headed it down previous the keeper. En-Nesyri is the primary Moroccan participant to attain at two World Cups.

Morocco’s protection sparkled as soon as once more – significantly the sensational play of goalkeeper Yassine “Bono” Bounou. None of Morocco’s opponents this World Cup — Croatia, Belgium, Canada, Spain or Portugal — has scored a purpose (the one credited to Canada was an personal purpose by Morocco).

Morocco is the primary Arab nation to go this deep right into a World Cup and, now, the primary African nation to achieve the semifinals of a World Cup. Across Doha – and the Arab world – followers have turned out in power to cheer for his or her Cinderella workforce.

At the FIFA Fan Fest in Doha, hundreds of followers squeezed in to observe the sport on an outside huge display screen TV. They cheered each transfer, each shot, each time Morocco’s gamers touched the ball. As the sport ended, Tarig Saad was gleeful. He’s initially from Sudan and now lives in Saudi Arabia. He drove ten hours to get to Doha.

“Being an Arab I’m very proud. Because we love football,” Saad mentioned. He famous prime European rosters are stuffed with African gamers. “As individuals we are as skillful. We can do anything.”

Asked why it is taken this lengthy for the African nation to have this type of success? “The competition is very high. And football has become like an industry. If we spent the same money as Portugal or Spain, we’d be better than Argentina or Brazil,” mentioned Saad.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal (R) reacts on the bench through the 2022 World Cup quarterfinal match towards Morocco on December 10, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

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Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal (R) reacts on the bench through the 2022 World Cup quarterfinal match towards Morocco on December 10, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

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For a second straight match, star Cristiano Ronaldo began the sport on the bench for Portugal. The 37-year-old is likely one of the most interesting to ever play the game however the ageing star hasn’t been his regular dominant self at this match (he hasn’t scored a single purpose). His alternative Gonçalo Ramos, who scored three targets towards Switzerland, did not make a lot of a mark. Ronaldo was substituted into the sport within the 51st minute. As the sport ended, he appeared to wipe away tears as he walked off the sphere.

It was the third time Portugal reached the quarterfinals (it had received its final two appearances in 1966 and 2006).

Morocco awaits the winner of Saturday’s late sport between France and England to see who it’ll play within the semifinals on Wednesday.

NPR’s Tom Goldman contributed reporting from Doha, Qatar.