After eliminating Spain in the round of 16, Morocco stunned the entire Iberian peninsula by defeating Portugal 1-0 in the World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday.
The Moroccans made history by becoming the first African nation to advance in the World Cup semifinals. Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) shared the record with Morocco as the only four African countries that had qualified for a World Cup quarterfinal.
Morocco will take on the winners of the blockbuster France-England match in the semifinals on Dec. 14.
Montreal-born, Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou continued his impressive performance from the round of 16 early on. Bounou was tested in the fourth minute when he denied a Portuguese scoring chance by blocking a header from Joao Felix on a free kick opportunity.
Morocco shocked Portugal by opening the score in the 42nd minute. Yahia Attiyat Allah ballooned a cross from the left flank and Youssef En-Nesyri beat Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa with a header.
In a moment all of Portugal had been waiting for, coach Fernando Santos substituted in Cristiano Ronaldo at the 51st minute. This was Ronaldo’s second straight game starting from the bench.
Bounou frustrated Portugal yet again in their efforts to find an equalizer in the 82nd minute. The goalkeeper made diving save on Felix’s powerful shot towards the far post from the edge of the box.
Moroccan striker Walid Cheddira received a second yellow card three minutes into the eight total minutes stoppage time and was sent off.
Despite the man advantage to end the match, Portugal failed to find the equalizer as Morocco made history.
