A first half goal was all the Atlas Lions of Morocco needed to dispatch the Portuguese national team in the ongoing world cup in Qatar.
The quarter-final encounter which took place at the Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday makes Morocco the first African team to progress to the semi finals of World Cup.
The North Africans scored the only goal of the encounter through Youssef En-Nesyri’s header, with the striker scoring his second goal of Qatar 2022 and third World Cup goal overall.
Portugal had the better chances in the early exchanges with Joao Felix seeing a flying header saved before seeing a shot deflected agonizingly wide of the top corner.
Morocco settled in thereafter and kept grafting towards attack before taking the lead minutes before half-time through En-Neyseri.
Morocco advanced into the semi-final for the first time in their World Cup history.
The Atlas Lions will square off with the winner of the tie between England and France on Wednesday night.
They also have the best defence record in the world cup as they haven’t conceded any goal since the tournament started and haven’t been scored in their last 17 matches.
