By Erick Banda Ndenga.
Morocco cruised to the semi-finals of FIFA World Cup with a hard fought 1-0 victory over Portugal to become the first African side to go through at Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday.
Sevilla Fc striker Youssef En-Nesyri notched the historic goal igniting the African spirit as Walid Regragui’s side sailed through at expense of favorites Portugal.
Portugal came in the encounter demonstrating their intention to win with Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix attempt for an opener on the 4th minute was denied by Morocco custodian Yassine Bounou after Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandez delivered a superb pass for him to connect before Borussia Dortmund midfielder Raphael Guerreiro the attempt on the left channel was blocked inside the box minutes later.
The Atlas Lions responded on the 18th minute when Club Angers midfielder Azzedine Ounahi put through a lovely ball outside the box for Chelsea midfielder Hakim Ziyech to unleash a left foot thunderous shot inches wide.
Morocco skipper Hakim Ziyech once again pulled another killer pass following a set piece situation for Youssef En-Nesyri who connected with a header at center of the box on the 26th minute but it was off again.
Portugal chance to end the stalemate on the 31st minute was blocked after Joao Felix pulled a magnificent right foot shot outside the box as Raphael Guerreiro through ball for Benfica forward Goncalo Ramos to bury the ball into the net was caught offside three minutes later.
Morocco on the other hand bounced back on the 35th minute after Wydad Ac left back Yahya Attiyat Allah looped in a cross finding Standard Liege midfielder Selim Amallah who fired in a long range left foot shot wide.
Eventually the Atlas Lions resilience paid off three minutes before half time as Portugal goalie Diogo Costa came off posts for Yahya Attiyat Allah’s long hanging ball from left flank to collide with his own defender Ruben Dias leaving Sevilla Fc lethal striker Youssef En-Nesyri to pull a tremendous header past him to take the lead 1-0.
A frantic end of the first stanza saw Bruno Fernandes dipping volley hitting the crossbar before seeing a penalty appeal waved away by referee Facundo Tello heading to the breather trailing 1-0.
Morocco came in stronger in the second half with Hakim Ziyech chance to double their lead four minutes after the restart testing the gloves of Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa from a right channel free kick.
This prompted Portugal head coach Fernando Santos to introduce Cristiano Ronaldo into the fray on the 51st minute a move aimed to inspire a possible come back.
But it was Goncalo Ramos who was on the receiving end with a major chance immediately after Ronaldo’s entrance, heading Otavio’s defence-opening cross wide from inside the box.
Bernardo Silva had two great opportunities in quick succession to level the scores but curled over from the edge of the area before failing to connect in the box after an impressive free-kick move.
All those goal attempts cannot be compared to the three chances that fell on Portugal’s way in the final 10 minutes. First Joao Felix’s rasping drive towards the top corner that was tipped over by Morocco shot stopper Yassine Bounou who was equal to the task to Cristiano Ronaldo’s low strike in one on one situation.
Morocco came close to score the second goal on stoppage time when Zakaria Aboukhlal unleashed a clumsy chip that was easily saved by Diogo Costa as Pepe wasted a clear chance to equalize on the other end heading wide from inside six yard box from Rafael Leao’s cross before Morocco substitute Walid Cheddira was harshly sent off for a second yellow card in span of two minutes.
The full-time whistle turned the stadium into a pandemonium as thousands of Morocco fans in the stands cheer their team while Ronaldo immediately marched off the pitch bursting in tears.
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