Morocco defeated Portugal (1-0) this Saturday at Al Thumama Stadium, becoming the first African team in history to qualify for the semi-finals of the World Cup! Les Bleus will meet Morocco in the semifinals for a duel scheduled for Wednesday 23h.
In 1986, Morocco beat Portugal (3-1) to become the first African team in history to reach the last 16 of the World Cup. 36 years later, Hakim Ziyech and his band have done it again by leaving the Seleçao (1-0) this Saturday in the quarterfinals of the 2022 edition. The Atlas Lions become the first African team in history to reach the semi-finals of the competition!
This game began with a huge heat in the Moroccan surface with the diving header of Joao Felix miraculously diverted by Bounou. The Moroccan goalkeeper, who was already the hero of the round of 16 match against Spain (0-0, 3-0 tab) on Tuesday, set the tone from the start. As expected, the Atlas Lions struggled to defend to better counter an opponent who monopolized the ball. Despite another scare when Felix’s shot was deflected just over the goal by the back of El-Yamiq, who started in central defense in place of the injured Aguerd, the Moroccans fulfilled the first part of the contract quite well. As for the second part, a cross from local Attiyat Allah and an exceptional rebound from En-Nesyri, who was high in the air, were enough to punish the hazardous exit of Diogo Costa and open the score with a header (1-0, 42th). Despite their domination, the Portuguese replied immediately with an inspiration from Bruno Fernandes that was to die on the bar, while Attiyat Allah, a convincing starter in the absence of Mazraoui, missed the break for Morocco…
France qualify for the last four at the expense of England
France won 1-2 against England this Saturday in the quarterfinals of the World Cup. Aurelien Tchouameni had opened the score for France with a sending off in the 17th minute. However, he will commit a foul in his rectangle on Bukayo Saka. Harry Kane converted the penalty in the 54th minute (1-1) to score his 53rd goal (in 80 appearances) and tie Wayne Rooney as the all-time leading scorer for the English national team.
For his 53rd French goal, the 4th of this World Cup, Olivier Giroud, already the best scorer of the history of Les Bleus since Sunday, brought France in the lead at the 78th, but a new penalty gave the English the opportunity to equalize, missed however by Harry Kane (84th). France, world champion in title, passed the course.
