Walid Regragui, head trainer of Morocco, celebrates after the group’s victory towards Portugal on Dec. 10, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.
Justin Setterfield | Getty Pictures Game | Getty Pictures
Morocco was the primary African country to achieve the semi-finals of the International Cup as Youssef En-Nesyri’s first-half winner added Portugal to the listing of stunned groups in Qatar.
Striker En-Nesyri profited on a mistake from Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa to go house the historical strike for now not most effective Walid Regragui’s aspect — however all of the African continent.
Now not even the 51st minute creation of Cristiano Ronaldo — as soon as once more left at the bench via his supervisor Fernando Santos — may encourage a Portugal comeback, as Bruno Fernandes hit the crossbar whilst Goncalo Ramos and Bernardo Silva ignored the objective from just right positions.
Past due on, Morocco required heroics from goalkeeper Bono who stored from Joao Felix and Ronaldo whilst Pepe ignored a sitter within the last minute of 8 in stoppage time — which additionally noticed change striker Walid Cheddira despatched off for 2 quickfire yellow playing cards.
Morocco’s surprise run to the ultimate 4 — which has observed them beat Belgium, Spain and Portugal and concede only one personal function in 5 International Cup suits — units up a semi-final conflict with the winner of England and France’s blockbuster quarter-final.
How Morocco pulled off some other surprise to create historical past
Recent from their 6-1 win over Switzerland within the ultimate 16, Portugal started the sport brightly with a few first-half possibilities falling to Joao Felix.
The ahead put an early header directly at Bono and noticed a deflected shot land at the most sensible of the Morocco goalkeeper’s web earlier than flashing over a first-time end from the brink of the realm when present in acres of area.
Moments of the fit…5 minutes: Joao Felix ignored the primary of 3 large first-half possibilities via heading directly at Bono from a free-kick.42 minutes: Youssef En-Nesyri beats Diogo Costa to the ball to go house what finally ends up being the winner.45 minutes: Bruno Fernandes hits the bar and moments later sees a penalty attraction waved away.51 minutes: Moments after Hakim Ziyech just about made it 2-0, Cristiano Ronaldo enters the sphere of play.58: Goncalo Ramos heads a loose header vast of function following Otavio’s pass.83 minutes: Bono pointers over Joao Felix’s goalbound strike clear of the highest nook of the web.90+1 minutes: Ronaldo breaks clean of the Morocco protection however his low shot is stored via Bono.90+4: Walid Cheddira despatched off for Morocco after two quickfire yellow playing cards.90+7: Pepe heads vast from shut vary within the last large probability of the sport for PortugalFull Time: Ronaldo storms off the pitch in tears
In the meantime, Fernando Santos’ aspect had been warned about En-Nesyri’s danger within the air as he fired over a loose header from a nook, whilst Selim Amallah and Sofiane Boufal went shut in fast succession however each failed to seek out the objective.
In the end, Morocco’s resilience paid off 3 mins earlier than half-time as Portugal goalkeeper Costa got here for Attiyat Allah’s lengthy putting ball from the left and collided together with his personal defender in Dias, leaving En-Nesyri to nod house.
Youssef En-Nesyri ratings a function for Morocco right through the FIFA International Cup Qatar 2022 quarter last fit towards Portugal on Dec. 10, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.
Justin Setterfield | Getty Pictures Game | Getty Pictures
A frantic finish to the primary half of noticed Fernandes crash a dipping volley towards the crossbar earlier than seeing a penalty problem waved away via referee Facundo Tello when put via on function moments later.
Morocco began the second one length strongly, with Hakim Ziyech checking out the gloves of Costa from a free-kick — a big probability which induced the creation of Ronaldo on 51 mins
But it surely was once Goncalo Ramos who was once at the receiving finish of a big probability in an instant after Ronaldo’s front, heading Otavio’s defense-opening pass vast from within the field.
Bernardo Silva had two nice alternatives in fast succession to stage however curled over from the brink of the realm earlier than failing to attach within the field after a sensible free-kick transfer.
But none of the ones possibilities in comparison to the 3 that fell Portugal’s means within the last 10 mins. First, Felix’s rasping pressure in opposition to the highest nook was once tipped over via Bono — who needed to be equivalent to Ronaldo’s low effort when the 37-year-old ran via one-on-one.
Morocco had been on the subject of discovering a 2nd when Zakaria Aboukhlal burst clean via however his clumsy chip was once simply stored via Costa — but Pepe had a good higher probability on the different finish as he headed vast from within the six-yard field following Rafael Leao’s pass.
The overall-time whistle sparked jubilant scenes from the Morocco gamers and their 1000’s of supporters within the stands — whilst Ronaldo in an instant marched off the pitch in tears in what may be his ultimate International Cup look.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts right through the FIFA International Cup Qatar 2022 quarter last fit towards Morocco on Dec. 10, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.
Patrick Smith | FIFA | Getty Pictures
Pepe rages at Argentine referee
Portugal defender Pepe criticized the appointment of Argentine referee Tello within the wake of the Argentina gamers’ feedback about officiating and added time following their quarter-final win over the Netherlands on Friday.
Argentina conceded an equalizer on the finish of eleven mins of stoppage time to ship their tie into extra-time, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez claiming referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz sought after the Netherlands to attain, whilst captain Lionel Messi was once additionally essential.
Pepe says the appointment of Tello on this sport must now not had been licensed, with Argentina nonetheless within the event.
“We conceded a function that we were not anticipating however… I’ll have to mention it. It is unacceptable for an Argentine referee to referee our sport,” mentioned Pepe. “After what took place the day gone by, with Messi speaking, all of Argentina speaking and the referee comes right here.
“What did we play the second one half of? The goalkeeper saved losing to the bottom. There have been most effective 8 mins of stoppage time. We labored exhausting and the referee [gave] 8 mins?
“We did not play anything else in the second one half of. The one group that performed soccer was once us. We’re unhappy. We had the standard to win the International Cup and we did not organize to.”
“Our gamers are distressed,” mentioned Portugal trainer Fernando Santos, who shrugged off questions on his personal long run and added that he did not be apologetic about now not beginning Ronaldo.
“Cristiano is a brilliant participant and he got here on after we concept it was once important. However no, no regrets.”
In the meantime, Morocco goalkeeper Bono mentioned: “Pinch me, I am dreaming.
“Morocco is able to face someone on the planet. We’ve modified the mentality of the technology coming after us. They’re going to know Moroccan gamers can create miracles.”
Participant of the fit — Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco)
Such was once Portugal’s domination in ownership, Morocco metronome Sofyan Amrabat most effective touched the ball 32 instances within the 90 mins.
Sofyan Amrabat celebrates Morocco’s victory over Portugal right through the International Cup on Dec. 10, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.
Eric Verhoeven | Soccrates Pictures | Getty Pictures Game | Getty Pictures
However what the midfielder did at the uncommon events wherein he did get at the ball was once exceptional and he was once instrumental in relieving drive at the Morocco backline.
Amrabat made 8 ball recoveries and 3 tackles but in addition confirmed his skill to carry the ball ahead — getting into the general 3rd two times and growing one uncomplicated probability.
Put merely, Amrabat was once in every single place for Morocco and is staking an actual declare to be named Participant of the Match.
‘Do not take Morocco calmly’
Sky Sports activities’ Graeme Souness talking on ITV:
“Morocco had been fabulous — it was once a replicate of the Spanish sport [which they won on penalties].
“They had been sensational when it got here to protecting their field. In the case of the exhausting paintings, being arranged and resolution they had been a credit score to their nation.
“Don’t take them calmly. They’re going to now not be a special Morocco subsequent time, they’re going to play the very same means.
“They’d a sport plan which labored neatly. Each and every time the Portuguese were given the ball, they were given again in numbers. It is good enough to mention that, however if you find yourself repeatedly bringing the opposite group onto to you, one individual typically falls asleep in peril. No-one did that.
“For Argentina, France and England, should you requested them they usually gave you a solution, they’d be at liberty for Morocco getting there. That could be a mistake.”
What does the outcome imply?
Morocco transfer into the International Cup semi-final on Wednesday, Dec. 14, kick-off at 7 p.m. GMT. Will have to they win that, the International Cup last takes position at 3 p.m. GMT on Sunday, Dec. 18.
The African aspect will play the winner of England and France’s quarter-final, which kicks off at 7 p.m. GMT on Saturday night time.
