Morocco miracle

Morocco's beautiful script at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 added more historic pages as the Atlas Lions beat Portugal by a lone goal to book a groundbreaking semi-final place. The North Africans have become the first team from Africa, as well as the Arab world to reach this stage of the competition, showing spirit and heart – cheered on by a sea of red at the Al Thumama Stadium, yesterday. 

Head coach Walid Regragui had charged his players to want for more, and they responded on the pitch as Youssef En-Nesyri’s goal just before halftime ensured victory over Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal.

Regragui wants more and has dismissed talks of their victory being a miracle, calling his side the Rocky Balboa of the World Cup. 

“It’s no miracle. Many will say it’s a miracle, especially in Europe, but we’ve played Croatia, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal without letting in a goal,” the 47-year-old said after the match.

“That’s not a miracle, it’s the result of hard work. We’ve made our people happy and proud, the continent happy and proud, and so many people around the world happy. 

“When you watch Rocky, you support him because of his heart and commitment. We are the Rocky of this World Cup,” he added.

With Ronaldo on the bench for the second straight game, Portugal threatened earlier as a free-kick delivered into the Morocco box found Joao Felix, who forced Bono into a flying save.

Morocco’s players celebrate after defeating Portugal. AFP

Hakim Ziyech, in usual style, chopped in from the right, but his shot on his favoured left foot was dragged wide off the mark. Morocco enjoyed a spell of possession, and Ziyech whipped a cross in, but Diogo Costa came out early and held firmly. 

Morocco had a chance from another Ziyech cross, but En-Nesyri’s header was off target. 

Portugal had to deal with the constant jeers as a sea of Moroccan supporters whistled whenever they had possession.  

That didn’t deter them as Felix’s shot took a huge deflection off Jawad El Yamiq, whose attempted clearance had set up the chance for the youngster.

A swift Moroccan move saw Yahia Attiyat Allah with space to whip in a cross, but Selim Amallah’s shot was always rising. Morocco were finding spaces, but Sofiane Boufal, after twisting his marker, could only shoot straight at Costa.

Felix found himself unmarked on the edge of the box, but the Atletico Madrid man somehow failed to work the keeper blazing wide.

Morocco’s pressure paid off three minutes from halftime. En-Nesyri rose high to head home from Attiat-Allah’s cross, sending the packed stadium screaming.

Both Ruben Dias and Diogo Costa were guilty of some questionable defending.

Bruno Fernandes immediately came close to pulling Portugal level, but his speculative effort bounced off the crossbar with Yassine Bounou scrambling.

On the other end, Morocco, on a counter-attack, stretched the Portuguese defence, but Attiat-Allah sliced his shot horribly wide as the referee blew for halftime.

Early in the second half, a delightful Ziyech cross beat almost everyone, with Costa scrambling in goal, but the ball came off the keeper and then Jawad El Yamiq for a goal kick.

Ronaldo came on in the 51st minute for his 196th cap to equal the FIFA record, set by Kuwait's Bader Al Mutawa. The superstar’s entrance seemed to rejuvenate A Selecao, but Diogo Dalot could have done better with his cross.

Goncalo Ramos, Ronaldo’s replacement in starting line-up, who had been anonymous, had a glorious chance, but the forward could only head wide.

Fernandes, from just outside the box, should have done better with his effort, which sailed narrowly over the bar.

Portugal piled the pressure as Regragui switched to a back five. Morocco kept their shape, but Portugal didn’t create any clear chance, and Morocco broke on a counter-attack, but the attack came to nothing. 

Bounou kept the North Africans in the match with a brilliant save off a Joao Felix effort before making a smart near-post save from Ronaldo. 

There was drama towards the end as substitute Walid Cheddira was shown his second yellow card of the match and sent off in added time, but the Atlas Lions held on for a famous victory. 

“We know that we have skilful players and were expecting to give more joy to the Portuguese people, and we couldn’t do so,” Portugal coach Fernando Santos told reporters after the match.

“We knew the challenges we would face, especially in terms of defensive strategy. We tried to make the game hard for our opponents, but we were not successful. Obviously, we also need to give credit to the Moroccan squad. I think it’s not fair for us to lose, but that’s football.”

Morocco will now take on defending champions France at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday.