How Morocco is making history at the World Cup

Morocco became the first African and Arab team to ever advance to a world cup semi-final with a stunning victory over Portugal on Saturday at the World Cup in Qatar.

The games lone goal was scored by Youssef En-Nesyri in the 43rd minute with a perfectly timed jump to smash a thunderous header home. Four minutes into the second half, Jawad El Yamiq touched Hakim Ziyech’s in swinging free kick, but goalkeeper Diogo Costa was there to prevent it from getting in. Meaning Morocco nearly scored a second goal. Bruno Fernandes struck the crossbar, Goncalo Ramos and Bernando Silva both missed the goal, and not even the entrance of Cristiano Ronaldo in the 51st minute could spur Portugal to a comeback. The Atlas Lions stood their ground.

Portugal will consider the loss as a squandered opportunity against the tournament's lowest-ranked team and a depressing finale for the 37-year-old Ronaldo, who was seen in tears as he exited the pitch at the end of the match.

Yassine Bounou, popularly known as Bono, their man of the match goalie, stated “We’re here to transform a mentality - more inferiority”. Even more persuasive was the manager Walid Regraguis statement, “We are the Rocky Balboa of this World Cup. It’s no miracle that a lots of you will disagree, particularly in Europe, yet we beat Belgium, Spain, and Portugal without giving up a goal. When you see Rocky, you want to support Rocky because we have made our people, our continent and so many other people proud.”

Work cited:

“World Cup 2022: Morocco Make History by Beating Portugal to Reach Semis.” Middle East Eye, www.middleeasteye.net/news/world-cup-morocco-makes-history-beating-portugal-semi-final. Accessed 11 Dec. 2022.

“Photos: Morocco Makes History by Reaching World Cup Semi-Finals.” Www.aljazeera.com, www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2022/12/10/morocco-vs-portugal. Accessed 11 Dec. 2022.

Blitz, Sam. “World Cup 2022: Morocco 1-0 Portugal: Youssef En-Nesyri Scores Winner as Cristiano Ronaldo Exits Qatar Tournament.” CNBC, www.cnbc.com/2022/12/10/morocco-makes-world-cup-history-as-they-reach-the-semi-finals.html. Accessed 11 Dec. 2022.