Morocco toppled another European soccer giant with a 1-0 win over Portugal on Saturday to become the first African nation to advance to the semifinals of the World Cup.
The only scoring in the match, played in Doha, Qatar, came in the 42nd minute when Morocco’s Youssef En-Nesyri took a cross from Yahya Attiyat-Allah and managed to get a header past goalkeeper Diego Costa for the sole goal. Morocco’s fierce defense limited Portugal to just three shots on goal.
Morocco’s previous tournament wins included victories over Belgium and Spain.
The match also will be remembered as perhaps the end of major international play for superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who was removed from Portugal’s starting lineup at the start of the round of 16. He was a second-half sub in the 51st minute, but, like his teammates, was stifled by the Moroccan defense.
Morocco played more than half of the eight minutes of stoppage time with 10 players because Walid Cheddira was disqualified with two yellow cards.
Morocco will play France in the semifinals on Wednesday.
–France 2, England 1
A 78th-minute header by Olivier Giroud sent defending champion France through to the semifinals with a victory over England in Al Khor, Qatar.
England had opportunities to level the match, but captain Harry Kane missed a penalty in the 84th minute and Marcus Rashford’s free kick sailed just over the crossbar right before time was called.
Kane had converted a penalty in the 54th minute, tying the match and tying Wayne Rooney as England’s all-time leading scorer with 53 goals.
Aurelien Tchouameni put France on the board first with a strike from distance in the 17th minute.
–Field Level Media
