History created by Morocco as they defeated Portugal 1-0 to become the first African nation to qualify for FIFA World Cup at Al Thumama Stadium on December 10, 2022, in Doha, Qatar. Morocco is also only the third country outside of Europe and Latin America to reach the last four, after the U.S. at the first World Cup in 1930 and South Korea in 2002.
The Moroccan side outdid Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) to enter the last four of FIFA World Cup.
Youssef En-Nesyri scored the all-important goal in 42′ of the match. This was his third goal and thus became the highest goal scorer for Morocco in FIFA World Cup History.
Yassine Bounou was brilliant at goal as he did multiple saves to ensure Portugal’s exit from World Cup.
Meanwhile, Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo became the joint-most capped men’s international football player when he came on in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match against Morocco on Saturday.
Ronaldo got his 196th cap, equaling Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa. Ronaldo is the highest goal scorer in men’s internationals as well, having scored 118 goals in Portugal colours. He last scored in the Qatar 2022 group stage match against Ghana.
The 37-year-old Ronaldo made his Portugal debut in 2003 and was first named the captain in 2007.
Morocco Starting XI: Yassine Bounou(GK), Achraf Hakimi, Romain Saiss, Sofyan Amrabat, Selim Amallah, Azzedine Ounahi, Hakim Ziyech, Soufiane Boufal, Youssef En-Nesyri, Jawad Yamiq, Yahya Attiat-Allah
Portugal Starting XI: Diogo Costa(GK), Diogo Dalot, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Raphael Guerreiro, Bruno Fernandes, Otavio, Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix, Goncalo Ramos, Ruben Neves
Picture Courtesy: FIFA Media
