DOHA, Qatar — Morocco grew to become the primary African nation to achieve the World Cup semifinals by beating Portugal 1-0 on Saturday, doubtless ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s possibilities of profitable soccer’s greatest prize.
Youssef En-Nesyri scored the profitable objective within the forty second minute to proceed Morocco’s unbelievable run that has generated an outpouring of pleasure within the Arab world in the course of the first World Cup to be staged within the Center East.
The 37-year-old Ronaldo, certainly one of soccer’s biggest gamers, did not begin for the second straight sport however got here on as an alternative within the 51st minute.
The five-time world participant of the 12 months is ready to complete his profession with out capturing the World Cup or ever attending to the ultimate.
It’s a seminal second in World Cup historical past, with an African nation lastly advancing to the degrees usually solely reached by European or South American groups.
Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) all reached the quarterfinals however acquired no additional.
Morocco-Portugal highlights
Youssef En-Nesyri scored on a lovely header within the forty second minute, and Morocco’s sensible protection saved Portugal off the board.
Reporting by the Related Press.
