In the 42nd minute, Youssef En-Nesyri scored the game-winning goal, cementing his nation’s place in history.
Morocco is the pride of the continent, as no African country has ever advanced to the World Cup semifinals.
African teams have only advanced as far as the quarterfinals three times: Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010.
And it was an exhilarating moment for football fans throughout the Middle East, not just those from Morocco. A fellow Arab country has advanced to the semifinals at a World Cup that is being held in the area for the first time.
The team almost solely relied on counter-attacks and scored from one of them in a match played amid constant whistles and jeers from Morocco’s fervent supporters.
En-Nesyri leapt between Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa and defender Ruben Dias to head a cross into the empty net after it was swung in from the left.
The only goal that Morocco’s defense has so far allowed was an own goal. The defense has yet to allow a goal by an opponent.
There was only despair for Portugal.
Ronaldo, who will be 41 by the time of the United States, Mexico, and Canada World Cup in 2026, had hoped to advance to the semifinals for just the second time since 2006.
He only entered the game as a substitute in the 51st minute and then missed a chance to tie the score in stoppage time. He is one of the greatest players in history.
Despite his best efforts, he was unable to touch the ball until he slipped past Morocco’s defense after receiving a long ball forward. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who hadn’t had much to do up until that point, stopped his low shot.
It indicates that the five-time World Player of the Year will end his career without ever winning the World Cup or making it to the championship game.
After the final horn, he immediately left the field and was in tears as he made his way down the tunnel.
While Ronaldo, the other soccer great of this generation, will be conspicuously absent, Lionel Messi and Argentina will be playing in the semifinals.
In the semifinals, Morocco will now take on either France or England.
