Morocco vs Portugal final score, result (World Cup 2022): Atlas Lions roar into semis

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Morocco vs Portugal final score, result (Group H World Cup 2022) - Morocco became the first African team to reach the FIFA World Cup semi-finals after stunning Portugal 1-0 at the Al Thumama Stadium.

Morocco vs Portugal Summary

A common theme of these World Cup finals had been tight, cagey first-half displays with neither side willing to take risks in the early going. This contest was no different, with Morocco’s incredible positional discipline on display to shut down Portugal’s many creative threats. Their water-tight defense had conceded just once across their previous eight games, but Walid Regragui was forced into changes, with both Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui ruled out.

En-Nesyri profited from Diogo Costa's error in the Portugal goal

Stand-in center-back Jawad El Yamiq was called into action before the interval, crucially deflecting João Félix’s effort wide of the target, and it was an intervention that would be rewarded. Having successfully shut down Portugal for most of the first half, the Atlas Lions grew into the contest and edged ahead as HT approached. Diogo Costa misjudged Yahia Attiyat Allah’s cross, failing to claim the high ball as Youssef En-Nesyri towered over him to nod into an empty net.

Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou stood firm after Cristiano Ronaldo was brought on for Portugal

Even with Ronaldo on the pitch, Fernandes continued to prove Portugal’s most dangerous attacker, as the Manchester United midfielder lashed a powerful effort from the edge of the area narrowly over the bar. Moments of danger were fleeting though, as a side that looked so flowing in their destruction of Switzerland was completely stifled by a brilliant Moroccan rearguard. Whenever a gap could be exploited, Bounou was on hand to provide the heroics, producing a marvelous save to deny Félix as the clock ticked down.

Morocco vs Portugal final score

Goals

• MOR — En Nesyri (42 mins)

Morocco vs Portugal confirmed line-ups

Morocco XI (4-3-3): Bono; Hakimi, El Yamiq, Saiss, Attiyat Allah; Amrabat, Amallah, Ounahi; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal.

Portugal XI (4-2-3-1): Costa; Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro; Neves, Otavio; Silva, Fernandes, Felix; Ramos.

Morocco vs Portugal Highlights

Morocco became the first African country to reach the World Cup semi-finals, as Youssef En-first-half Nesyri's winner joined Portugal to the list of surprised teams in Qatar.