Morocco beat Portugal; First African nation to reach semis in FIFA World Cup
HY News
10 December, 2022 10:52 pm IST
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Morocco became the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals by beating Portugal 1-0 on Saturday. Youssef En-Nesyri scored the winning goal in the 42nd minute to continue Morocco’s improbable run that has generated an outpouring of pride in the Arab world during the first World Cup to be staged in the Middle East.
In the group stage, Morocco beat 2018 semifinalist Belgium 2-0 and was equal to Spain throughout the round of 16, before trumping its neighbour.
Morocco have surpassed the three other African sides to reach the quarter-finals -- Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010. Ghana had come within inches of the semis spot back in 2010 but couldn't quite break the glass ceiling for African nations.
Now, Morocco have broken it. The teams that have failed to beat them are as follows: 2018 runners-up Croatia (0-0), FIFA World No.2 Belgium (lose 2-0), Canada (lose 2-1), 2010 champions and Spain (0-0, lose on penalties) and now 2016 European champions Portugal.
Morocco will play either France or England in the semifinals.
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