Morocco 1-0 Portugal (En-Nesyri 42′)
The moment Youssef En-Nesyri soared metres into the air, Cristiano Ronaldo was not even on the pitch. Still, it was a header reminiscent of the Portuguese forward at his ethereal prime that deceived Diogo Costa and Ruben Dias to put Morocco on the verge of becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final.
Ronaldo had been left on the bench once again – he has not started since his outburst towards South Korea’s Cho Gue-sung – but Fernando Santos turned to him with less than an hour gone to salvage Portugal’s hopes, the 37-year-old equaling the record in men’s international football for most caps with his 196th appearance for his country.
The tides feel like they are shifting, however, Morocco representing not just themselves but the whole Arab world and their entire continent. Pele once predicted that an African nation would win the World Cup by the turn of the millennium; he was wrong, but it is becoming easier all the time to see where that prediction was coming from.
Portugal disappointed. Goncalo Ramos, one of the young stars of the tournament, became anonymous; Joao Felix was handed their best chance from the edge of the area, only to be denied by Bono at full stretch; Costa was disastrous for the goal, though he later redeemed himself, making himself big enough to halt a Hakim Ziyech wide free-kick into the box. An air of desperation followed Bruno Fernandes, who rattled the crossbar but also went down for a limp penalty appeal.
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Thousands of Moroccan fans were in danger of missing this historic moment for their nation, with swathes of empty seats long after kick-off. That was reportedly due to an issue with ticketless fans trying to gain access to Al Thumama Stadium at the expense of ticket-holders.
Fortunately, the latecomers were in time to see En-Nesyri latch onto Yahia Attiyat Allah’s cross for his goal, one which feel all the more remarkable to those who have watched his recent struggles at Sevilla.
The Morocco story is remarkable full-stop – the plan works to a tee. In 10 games since June, they have conceded one goal – and that was an own goal – against Canada.
The only sadness was the sight of former Wolves defender Romain Saiss being stretchered off – it will be a great pity if that is the end of his tournament, as it could be for substitute Walid Cheddira, who received two yellows in a matter of minutes to be dismissed in injury time.
That might have counted had Pepe not missed at the back post just moments after Zakaria Aboukhlal missed a perfect one-on-one.
The greater scrutiny will be the likely end of Ronaldo’s World Cup career, which passes without him ever lifting the trophy: Lionel Messi may yet beat him on that score. Morocco, meanwhile, march on.
World Cup results today
- Morocco 1-0 Portugal
- England vs France
Ronaldo cries but the Arab world rejoices
By Pete Hall – read his full analysis from Qatar here
An Arab country had never had a team in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, never mind in last four. Three African nations had previously got to this stage, and all could not go one step further.
They came in their droves. Some were Moroccan, some local Qataris, some draped in Palestinian flags to show solidarity with their Arab brothers – but unlike earlier in this tournament, those of the Middle Eastern persuasion in the stands were not all here to see Ronaldo.
Heartbreak for Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 10, 2022#BBCFootball #BBCWorldCup pic.twitter.com/0ijsFz9eVs
The western attitude towards Qatar and several other neighbouring countries has helped unite a region and a heritage.
Supporters switching their allegiances away from the most famous jobseeker in the world was well time as, again, Ronaldo did not start. After a phalanx of photographers to capture him in the dugout had dispersed, the veteran could only look on as Morocco set about another earth-shattering scalp.
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