Qatar 2022: Morocco defeat Portugal, become first African team to ever qualify for World Cup semi-final

The Atlas Lions of Morocco have qualified for the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, after a 1-0 win against Portugal.

The victory makes them the first African team to get to that stage of the competition in its 92-year history.

Portugal came in favour to win and dominated possession the entire game. But Morocco again found a way to win this World Cup in Qatar.

The game’s only goal came just before halftime in the 42nd minute when Morocco’s Yahya Attiat-Allah lofted a ball in front of the Portugal goal and Youssef En-Nesyri soared high and headed it down past the keeper.

En-Nesyri is the first Moroccan player to score at two World Cups.

Morocco’s defense sparkled once again – particularly the sensational play of goalkeeper Yassine “Bono” Bounou. None of Morocco’s opponents this World Cup — Croatia, Belgium, Canada, Spain or Portugal — has scored a goal (the one credited to Canada was an own goal by Morocco).

Morocco is the first Arab country to go this deep into a World Cup and, now, the first African country to reach the semifinals of a World Cup.