Underdogs Morocco have become the first African team to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup. Coach Walid Regragui’s team beat ex-European champions Portugal 1-0 (1-0) in Doha on Saturday and caused another surprise after the coup against Spain.
The Moroccans will now meet the winner of the quarterfinals between defending champions France and European runners-up England in the semifinals on Wednesday (20:00 CET).
Youssef En-Nesyri scored the winning goal for the North Africans in the 42nd minute at Al-Thumama Stadium. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo came on as a second-half substitute and equaled the world record held by Kuwait’s Badr al-Mutawa with his 196th cap.
In injury time, Morocco’s Walid Cheddira was sent off for repeated foul play.