Morocco’s improbable run at the 2022 World Cup continues. They have become the first African nation in the history of the tournament to advance to the semi-finals after beating favored Portugal 1-0 in a quarter-finals match on Saturday.
Morocco beat Belgium and eliminated Spain during their World Cup run, but many believed their Cinderella story end with Portugal. However, Walid Regragui’s team didn’t back from a challenge and proved once again that they can compete with the best and beat the best.
Both teams were cautious at the start of the match, but this was a type of pace that suited Morocco. They patiently waited for an opening and got one towards the end of the first half. Youssef En-Nesyri reacted superbly to a cross and headed the ball past Diogo Costa.
Portugal went all out on the attack at the start of the second, but their star-studded team couldn’t crack Morocco’s stout defense. It didn’t even help that the Moroccans were reduced to 10 men at the start of added time.
Speaking with reporters after the match, Regragui compared his team to Rocky Balboa, the underdog boxer from Sylvester Stallone’s classic Rocky.
“It is no miracle. Many of you will say it is, especially in Europe, but we have beaten Belgium, Spain, and Portugal without conceding,” said Regragui. “We have made our people proud and our continent and so many people around, when you watch Rocky you want to support Rocky Balboa.”
Morocco will now play the reigning World Cup champions France in the semi-finals match for a chance to advance to the finals. The other semi-finals will see Croatia face Argentina.
