Morocco continued their unbelievable journey on the 2022 World Cup by beating Portugal within the quarter finals to succeed in the ultimate 4 of the event.
The Atlas Lions have excelled all through the competitors, successful Group F forward of the likes of Croatia, Belgium and Canada earlier than triumphing over Spain on penalties within the final 16.
Cheered on by African and Arab nations world wide, Morocco produced an exquisite show to beat Portugal 1-0 due to Youssef En-Nesyri’s strike and an infinite defensive effort led by goalkeeper Bono.
Morocco’s success on the 2022 World Cup is historic. In reaching the semi finals, the Atlas Lions have change into the primary African and Arab group to make the ultimate 4 within the competitors’s storied historical past.
Morocco (2022) – semi finals
Morocco confirmed their self-discipline of their opener towards draw specialists Croatia, taking some extent from a goalless draw earlier than beating each Belgium and Canada.
Walid Regragui’s facet took on Spain within the final 16. After a good 120 minutes, Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets all missed from the penalty spot earlier than Achraf Hakimi ensured their development to the semi finals.
One other mammoth job awaited them within the quarter finals in Portugal. Nonetheless, the Atlas Lions weren’t overawed by the event and took the lead when Youssef En-Nesyri capitalised on a defensive mess to go in.
Portugal could not reply, leading to Morocco’s development to the ultimate 4 to realize the most effective run from an African facet in World Cup historical past. And it isn’t over simply but.
Cameroon (1990) – quarter finals
Cameroon solely debuted on the World Cup as an unbiased nation in 1982, once they drew all three group video games 0-0 and have been eradicated early on. Eight years later, nevertheless, they loved a memorable run to the quarter finals.
Francois Omam-Biyik scored in a 1-0 opening win over Argentina earlier than Roger Milla stole the present. Then 38, the striker got here off the bench to attain two late objectives within the 2-1 victory over Romania earlier than a 4-0 defeat to the Soviet Union.
Cameroon went by as group winners and defeated Colombia within the final 16 after additional time, with Milla once more scoring twice.
They exited on the quarter-final stage after an all-time basic with England. David Platt had the Three Lions 1-0 up at half time however Emmanuel Kunde’s penalty and Eugene Ekeke’s strike put the Lions of Teranga forward within the area of 5 second-half minutes.
A Gary Lineker penalty compelled additional time earlier than the previous Barcelona striker scored once more from the spot to remove Senegal and take England into the semi finals.
Senegal (2002) – quarter finals
Making the quarter finals is extremely spectacular on a primary try and that is what Senegal did in 2002.
A well-known 1-0 win over France courtesy of Papa Bouba Diop of their group opener helped Senegal end second, behind Denmark and forward of Uruguay and Les Bleus. They drew their final two group video games, together with a 3-3 belter with Uruguay.
They confronted Sweden within the final 16 and have been 1-0 down in 11 minutes when Henrik Larsson struck, however Henri Camara equalised earlier than half time and the sport would go to additional time. The previous Wolves and Wigan striker then netted a golden purpose, taking them by to the quarters with the final kick of the sport.
Nonetheless, they skilled simply how merciless elimination through that technique could be within the final eight, as Ilhan Mansiz ended the sport 4 minutes into additional time together with his purpose.
Ghana (2010) – quarter finals
Ghana reached the knockout levels of the World Cup on the first try in 2006. Their reward? A final 16 tie with Brazil. They weren’t profitable that 12 months as Ronaldo, Adriano and Ze Roberto all struck in a 3-0 defeat.
2010 proved to be a memorable event for the Black Stars, although their quarter-final end stays tinged by ideas of what may need been.
Two penalties from Asamoah Gyan helped Ghana decide up 4 factors from their opening two video games towards Serbia and Australia earlier than defeat to Germany noticed them end as group runners up.
They wanted additional time to see off america within the final 16. The 2 sides have confronted one another 4 years earlier when Ghana received 2-1 and they’d produce the identical scoreline in Rustenburg. Further time was required after objectives from Kevin Prince-Boateng and Landon Donovan earlier than Gyan netted the winner.
Ghana confronted Uruguay within the quarter finals. Sulley Muntari had his facet 1-0 up however Diego Forlan’s effort noticed the sport go to additional time.
A deep hatred for Luis Suarez got here out of the tie as the previous Barcelona striker batted away a goal-bound effort together with his arms in additional time. He was despatched off however celebrated Gyan’s earlier than the South Individuals triumphed 4-2 within the penalty shootout.
