SPORTS DESK
DOHA: Morocco has made history as the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. The African team became the first African team to qualify for World Cup Semi-Final and eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
Youssef En-Nesyri scored the goal in the first half at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Saturday night. Morocco became the first African nation to qualify for the FIFA World Cup semifinal.
In a knock-out fixture, both teams took an aggressive start and made countless attempts at each other in the first half. Winners forward Youssef Al Hakimi scored the solitary goal of the match in the 42nd minute of the first half and put his team Morocco one goal lead that was maintained by winners till the final whistle in the quarterfinal of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
First African nation to qualify for FIFA World Cup semifinal
Portugal wasted countless chances in the second half, as all credit goes to Morocco goalkeeper Bono, who saved around half a dozen attacks from opponent players. In the injury times, Portugal also missed a couple of chances to come back into the game but Bono was alert.
The losing side could not make finish well many times in the first half and second half as well. In the last minutes of the first part of the match, Ramos headed the ball in the right direction but the goalkeeper in front collected the ball confidently. Earlier, Portugal’s players created open net chances but they failed to end positively.
Morocco (Playing XIs):
Bono (Goalkeeper), A Hakimi, J Yamiq, R Saissi, Youssef Al Allah, A Qunahi, S Amrabat, S Amallah, H Ziyech, Y Em Nesyri, S Boufal
Portugal (Playing XIs):
D Costa (goalkeeper), D Dalot, Pepe, R Dias, R Guerreiro, B Silva, R Neves, Otavio,Fernandes, G Ramos, J Felix,
Quarterfinals Line-up:
1st Quarterfinal: Croatia beat Brazil 1-1 (4-2 on Penalty Shoots)
2nd Quarterfinal: Argentina beat Netherlands 2-2 (5-3 on Penalty Shoots)
3rd Quarterfinal: Morocco beat Portugal 1-0
4th Quarterfinal: France vs England
1st Semifinal on December 14, 2022
2nd Semifinal on December 15, 2022
3rd Position Play-off on December 17, 2022
Final on December 18, 2022