FIFA: Morocco makes History beating Portugal 1-0

Photo: CNN

DOHA, QATAR — Morocco players celebrate history being made as after they won the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final football match against Portugal at the Al-Thumama Stadium. Morocco becomes first African country to reach World Cup semifinals as Portugal falls short in the 1-0 victory.

All eyes were on Youssef En-Nesyri as he scored the winning goal in the 42nd minute to continue Morocco’s improbable run. Legend Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, didn’t start for the second straight game but came on as a substitute in the 51st minute. Many wonder if that had been a difference if he had. Despite speculation, it was Morocco on top. The 37-year-old Ronaldo, was on his last world cup run, and it came to an end on Saturday. The five-time world player of the year is set to finish his career without capturing the World Cup or ever getting to the final. It is truly an emotional end for the GOAT but just the beginning for Morocco! The end of an era starts a new one as history was made.

Photo: CNN

Morocco will play either France or England in the semifinals.

It is a seminal moment in World Cup history, with an African nation advancing to the levels typically only reached by European or South American teams. Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) all reached the quarterfinals but got no further. Perhaps Morocco can be the change in 2022.

Photo: GETTY IMAGES