Morocco – Portugal. The Atlas Lions achieved the feat of beating Portugal (1-0) on Saturday in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Morocco reached the semi-finals of a World Cup for the first time in its history. Check out the match summary.
18:12 – Cristiano Ronald broke a record
Coming into play in the 51st minute of play in Morocco-Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo equaled the world record for the number of national team caps on Saturday, since he now has 196. He shares this record with Kuwaiti Bader al-Mutawa . The five-time Ballon d’Or, 37, had his first selection in August 2003, aged 18. It remains to be seen whether or not he will retire from international football after the defeat against Morocco this Saturday (1-0).
18:06 – Morocco, first African country in the semi-finals
Morocco has just signed an authentic feat this Saturday afternoon by beating Portugal (1-0) and qualifying for the semi-finals of this 2022 World Cup. It is the first African country to climb to this stage of the competition in history. Cameroon (in 1990), Senegal (in 2002) and Ghana (in 2010) all lost in the quarter-finals.
18:02 – Morocco, third qualified for the semi-finals
After Croatia and Argentina on Friday, Morocco is the third country qualified for the semi-finals of this World Cup in Qatar after this success against Portugal (1-0), thanks to a goal from En-Nesyri ( 42nd). The Atlas Lions will face England or France in the semi-finals on Wednesday evening.
17:56 – End of the meeting in Al-Thumama (1-0)!
The result is rather flattering for Morocco (1-0). It is true that the Moroccans have the same number of shots on target as their opponents but have often chased after the ball during this quarter-final, as evidenced by the figures for ball possession, largely in favor of Portugal (27% -73% ).
17:55 – Pepe misses the target!
What a crazy ending! On a cross from the left, Pepe is found at the far post and takes the lead but fails to find the target, embarrassed by Amrabat and Attiat-Allah. The Portuguese can’t believe it…
17:53 – What an opportunity for Morocco!
Morocco comes very close to making the break in this additional time! On a long ball, Aboukhal goes faster than the Portuguese defense and comes alone against Costa but misses his shot trying to steal his ball. The Portuguese goalkeeper wins his duel!
17:51 – Cheddira excluded from Morocco!
Morocco will end the match ten against eleven against Portugal! While he had just taken a yellow card for a foul on Pepe in the air, Cheddira harvested a second pure sole on Joao Felix. Morocco will end up without a striker…
17:50 – Red card for Walid Cheddira
90ᵉ. It’s too much for Facundo Tello Figueroa. Walid Cheddira receives a second yellow card and is expelled!
17:50 – Ronaldo strikes first!
Perfectly launched in depth for once, Cristiano Rolando unleashes a powerful strike low to the ground in the area but Bounou is still impeccable and captures the ball in two stages. What another stop from the Sevilla FC goalkeeper.
17:48 – Eight minutes of added time
The Argentinian referee of this meeting between Morocco and Portugal grants eight minutes of additional time for this second period.
17:45 – Vitinha receives a yellow card
By clearing a ball in the distance after a corner kicked back by the Moroccan defense, Ounahi is hit in the air by Vitinha. The PSG midfielder receives a yellow card for this foul.
17:43 – Portugal misses a free kick
Perhaps inspired by the Dutch, Bruno Fernandes tries a small pass behind the Moroccan wall on a full axis free kick, but it does not work at all and Morocco can breathe for a few moments.
17:40 – What a stop from Bounou!
What an opportunity for Portugal! On a nice delivery from Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix slams a powerful shot with his left foot towards the opposite corner but Bounou flies away to deflect for a corner… What a parade.
17:39 – Morocco: Ziyech and Boufal replaced
Walid Regragui makes his last two changes in this meeting. Injured or exhausted, Ziyech and Boufal are replaced respectively by Jabrane and Aboukhlal.
17:36 – Portugal: Horta enters the game
Diogo Dalot was injured on a cross after an overflow on the right side. The Portuguese right side is replaced by Ricardo Horta, who is more of a winger. Fernando Santos tries everything for everything.
17:33 – A quarter of an hour to hold for Morocco
Morocco is currently holding victory and qualification, a quarter of an hour from the end of the match against Portugal (1-0). The Portuguese put terrible pressure on Bounou’s goal.
17:30 – Bernardo Silva misses his recovery
On the free kick, the entire Moroccan defense plunges towards its goal and forgets Bernardo Silva in withdrawal. The Manchester City midfielder is served low by Bruno Fernandes but misses his flat foot in front of goal! Unbelievable.
17:29 – Dari collects a yellow card
Achraf Dari collects the first yellow card of this meeting for a gross foul by Rafael Leao on the left side, at the entrance to the surface. Good free kick ahead for Portugal.
17:26 – Portugal: Santos make two changes
The Portuguese coach Fernando Santos still throws strong forces on the lawn to try to equalize. Rafael Leao and Vitinha, the PSG player, replace Gonçalo Ramos and Otavio. Joao Felix will come in the axis next to Cristiano Ronaldo.
17:23 – Morocco: Regragui makes two changes
Feeling his team under pressure, Morocco coach Walid Regragui decided to make two changes in this match and to strengthen his defense with the entry of a central defender (Benoun) and the exit of a midfielder (Amallah). Amallah and En-Nesyri, the only scorer of the match so far, are replaced by Cheddira and Benoun.
17:21 – Bruno Fernandes strike!
Morocco has been under terrible pressure for a few minutes. Bruno Fernandes is found at the entrance to the surface and triggers an overpowered shot that shaves the crossbar! What an opportunity for Portugal.
17:18 – Portugal monopolizes the ball
Portugal camped in the Moroccan half for several minutes. The Moroccans will have to resist even more than half an hour in this quarter-final to reach the semi-finals.
17:15 – Morocco: Saïss replaced
What a blow for Morocco. Romain Saïss really can no longer continue and leaves in tears on a stretcher. Brest defender Achraf Dari comes into play for the end of the game.