Morocco became the first African team to advance to the semifinals of a World Cup with a 1-0 win over Portugal on Saturday morning.
The winning goal came in the final minutes of the first half when Youssef En-Nesyri skied to win a header from a towering cross by Yahya Attiat-Allah. Portugal keeper Diogo Costa tried to beat En-Nesyri to the cross but En-Nesyri outjumped everyone and thumped the ball into the back of the net.
Morocco’s improbable run to the semifinals likely ends Cristiano Ronaldo’s chances of winning a World Cup. The 37-year-old star started on the bench for the second consecutive game and came on just minutes into the second half. His best goal-scoring chance came in the 91st minute as Ronaldo got a shot on target off between two Moroccan defenders on a break. But the shot was saved by Yassine Bounou.
Shortly after that Ronaldo chance in added time, Morocco went down to 10 men after substitute Walid Cheddira got two yellow cards in a matter of minutes. Morocco then had to defend for the final seven minutes with one fewer man than Portugal. Cheddira’s red card for the second yellow was just the second red card issued to a player all tournament.
