Even though Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal were under pressure, they could not get out of it. In the end, Youssef N-Nesiri’s goal was enough to give Morocco a 1-0 lead, securing victory over Pedigree.
With the win, Morocco became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup, succeeding where their previous three fell woefully short.
An-Nessiri soared to head home just before half-time and from there the Moroccan defense stifled Portugal’s attacks for the full 90 minutes and held possession. Ronaldo started the game on the bench, with Fernando Santos again supporting youngster Goncalo Ramos in attack, but the Portugal manager turned to his aging captain minutes after half-time.
It ultimately had little effect, as Ronaldo later missed one of his best chances to change the game. Rafael Leo was a true needle of attacking flair, but his introduction came too late to change the scoreline.
Meanwhile, Moroccan midfielders Sofiane Boufal and Ezzedine Onahi made the difference throughout the game, and substitute defender Yahya Attiat Allah also scored a big try. Morocco captain Romain Saiss was injured in the second half and substitute Walid Chedira was sent off in injury time but it made no difference as the African nation remained strong in size and composition. Goalkeeper Yassin Bounou was also huge, making several big saves to keep a clean sheet and secure qualification where they will face the winner of France against England.
Morocco vs Portugal Score
| Team | 1H | 2H | Final |
| Morocco | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Portugal | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Goals:
MOR – El-Nessiri – 43 min
Estimated lineups:
Morocco Estimated Lineup (4-3-3): 1. Bono (GK) — 2. Hakimi, 5. Aguird, 6. Sais, 3. Mazraoui — 8. Onahi, 4. Amrabat, 15. Amallah — 7. Ziyech, 19. En-Nesiri, 17. Boufal
Portugal Estimated Lineup (4-3-3): 22. Costa (GK) — 2. Dalot, 3. Pepe, 4. Dias, 5. Guerreiro – 25. Ottawa, 14. Carvalho, 10. Silva – 8. Fernandes, 26. Ramos, 11. Felix
Morocco vs Portugal Live Updates, 2022 World Cup Highlights
Final: Morocco 1-0 Portugal
It’s done! Morocco made history! They became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup! Where the other three are late, Morocco stands tall!
Portugal had several chances late on but could not overcome the Herculean efforts of the Moroccan defence. It’s glory for Morocco, and heartbreak for Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo is shown walking straight down the tunnel in tears, unable to hold his emotions together.
90+7 mins: Chance, Portugal! PEPE Missed it. He takes out Attiat Allah and gets his head on Rafael Leo’s cross, but he hits it wide! It’s a fantastic chance to level the score on the doorstep, but he can’t get it in the frame! What an opportunity, what a missed opportunity!
90+6 mins: Chance, Morocco! Portugal throws numbers forward and clearly exposes themselves at the back, but Diogo Costa rises big! Substitute Zakaria Abukhlal scored one, but he couldn’t get past Costa who came off his line! This game is end to end!
90+3 mins: Red card! Two bookings in a minute for substitute striker Walid Chedira who tripped Joao Felix and Morocco was down to 10 men! It’s only the second red card of the entire World Cup, and now the African nation will have to defend a man down for the final six minutes of added time!
The given video is available in US
Cheddira is shown a second yellow after this challenge 🟥 pic.twitter.com/2OtAH5kVrN
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 10, 2022
90+1 min: Chance, Portugal! Cristiano Ronaldo refused! The Portugal frontman fires a shot on frame, but it’s right at Yassin Bounou and the Moroccan goalkeeper makes no mistake getting down at his near post. That’s a poor effort from Ronaldo and a chance to equalize the score! Will this be his last match at the World Cup?
The given video is available in US
BONO WITH ANOTHER HUGE SAVE 🔒 pic.twitter.com/9J1ELMfemF
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 10, 2022
The given video is available in CANADA
Portugal is pushing for the equalizer but come up empty again! #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/otjlWhhmxi
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 10, 2022
87th minute: Portugal is now in panic mode, sending crosses into the penalty area en masse. They are not the tempest of delivery! It will end something, Portugal pours in the pressure.
Vitinha received the first yellow card of the game for a tackle on Azzedine Onahi. Portugal’s players are in the ear of the official as Morocco takes their time to play. Dissatisfaction is increasing.
83rd minute: Chance, Portugal! What a saving BOUNOU! Joao Felix fires a missile but the Moroccan goalkeeper makes a great save! It’s drawn all the way to the top left corner of the net, athletically parrying the Atletico Madrid forward’s shot. Wow! Is that moment Morocco necessary?
The given video is available in US
WHAT A SAVE BY BONO 😱 pic.twitter.com/vJXZML7DrN
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 10, 2022
The given video is available in CANADA
A glorious chance is thwarted by an even better save! #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/QgVvcJGxtP
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 10, 2022
81st minute: A very risky substitution by Morocco head coach Walid Regragui sees star Hakim Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal come on as the last of his available replacements. Jiyech appears to be carrying a possible injury.
80th minute: With 10 minutes and stoppage time to go, it’s just not happening for Portugal. Their passes seem to have the right idea in mind, but the execution is not there. Rafael Leo is one who wants the ball, and of course, he’ll try a few take-on before it gets up.
75th minute: Chance, Morocco! Well, Portugal needs to remember that Morocco can still counterattack! After clearing a corner wave, Morocco goes to the other end and almost produces a dagger, with great work from Azzedine Onahi on the ball, but Walid Chedira cannot produce the necessary finish and the shot fizzes over without a chance.
74th minute: Morocco is defending more and more as Portugal comes under pressure. The African side continues to weather the storm, as they manage to clear three corners in succession. Portugal feels they still have something to offer, but time is starting to be a factor.
68 min: Bruno Fernandes sends a cross to the far post with the outside of his right boot, trying to pick Ronaldo out. Bono claims comfortably.
63 min: From the edge of the Morocco penalty area, Bruno Fernandes takes a touch and then sends rasping drive inches over the bar.
The given video is available in CANADA
Bruno Fernandes almost finds the equalizer! #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/r7zy01RCI7
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 10, 2022
59th minute: Ronaldo is involved for the first time, but he is dispossessed in support of the Portuguese attackers at the top of the penalty area. They haven’t looked marketably good since the substitutions, but it only takes a moment of brilliance from a brilliant player to get them back into it.
57th minute: A really bad sight for Morocco as their captain Romain Saiss appears to have a muscle problem. Head in hand as he leaves. That’s a big loss for Morocco, with Achraf Dari replacing him.
51st minute: Not long! Fernando Santos made a couple of changes after Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Cancelo came on for most of the second half. It is Ronaldo’s 196th international cap, equaling the men’s international record held by Badr Al-Mutawa of Kuwait.
The double substitution is a real injection of attacking talent for the European side who trailed by one goal.
50th minute: Chance, Morocco! Achraf Hakimi won the free-kick, the delivery was sensational, and caused real problems for Diogo Costa in goal. He fails to come out and collect, and three Moroccan players come agonizingly to get to the ball, but nobody gets to the ball and Costa is away.
46th minute: Second half underway. No change for either side, but if this deficit lasts too long it will track Cristiano Ronaldo waiting in the wings!
Half time: Morocco 1 – 0 Portugal
45+3 mins: It’s all happening here! Portugal’s penalty appeal was dismissed when Fernandes went down in the Morocco box, after which the Whites broke upfield and the team only had to score three-on-three, with left-back Yahya Attiat Allah only to score. The Portuguese goal was in space and he just couldn’t beat Diogo Jota.
45+1 min: Bruno Fernandes tries his luck with an audacious volley from wide on the right. The ball bounces off the cross-bar and goes out safely.
43 min: Goal! to Morocco 1 (El-Nessiri ) Morocco lead! Youssef El-Nesiri puts his country ahead but it’s a gift from Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
The given video is available in US
MOROCCO TAKES THE LEAD VS PORTUGAL 🔥🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/X9qbiJeCBP
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 10, 2022
36 min: Morocco is starting to dominate this game and is growing in confidence after a good start. Sofiane Boufal has a pop from distance but his effort, which takes a slight nick off the defender, is too weak and straight at the neck of Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
34 min: Morocco attacks down the left. Salim Amallah tries to connect with a pull-back from Yahya Attiat Allah but the delivery is just behind him. He connects but sends a wild effort high and wide.
30 minutes: Oops! Joao Felix capitalized on Zamak El Yamik’s weak defensive header to fire home from the edge of the penalty area. It takes a deflection off the defender and goes narrowly wide. Bono was disappointingly on the wrong foot and it’s a letdown for Morocco.
The given video is available in US
Portugal nearly had one here 👀
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 10, 2022
João Félix’s shot takes a deflection and just misses pic.twitter.com/R7VsKW5E1X
The given video is available in CANADA
A crazy deflection almost spells trouble for Morocco, but the ball sails harmlessly over the bar! #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/rAL9F3G6AK
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 10, 2022
26th minute: Chance, Morocco! N-Nessiri gets to the delivery again, this time from a free-kick straight after fouling Ruben Neves in midfield, but he sends it over the crossbar. It was the Moroccan striker’s second chance, but he came up empty with both.
22 min: Sofyan Amrabat plays a ball wide to Ziyech, whose cross from the right is blocked. Corner for Morocco. From that, they win another.
17 mins: Otavio plays a lofted ball from deep over the top and it almost misses the path of Goncalo Ramos. Bono is quick from his line to claim.
14th minute: Portugal look to have quality again from a set-piece delivery, almost like the previous free-kick, but Rafael Guerrero’s flick is stopped before reaching the target. The hit was fierce and appeared to be headed into the frame as it made its way through the trees.
10 min: Morocco goes forward with Sofiane Boufal on the ball out on the left flank. The ball is played in behind the Portugal defense but Diogo Costa is quick off his line to get down and claim.
7th minute: Chance, Morocco! In Morocco’s first corner, earned through a counter-attack, Youssef N-Nessiri gets a free header but it’s over the bar! One head chance for each side, one miss for each side. A bright start to the game!
The given video is available in US
What a chance for Morocco!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 10, 2022
Youssef En-Nesyri gets a shot off but it’s above the crossbar 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/mHL5j2gyW9
5th minute: Chance, Portugal! The first real action of the game took a few minutes, but Yasin Bounu has been called into action for the first time, possibly the first of many. Joao Felix heads Portugal’s free-kick, but the Moroccan goalkeeper saves it. A great stop!
Kickoff: The game is on! Portugal look set to reach their second semi-final in the last 20 years, while Morocco is looking to become the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final.
Morocco vs Portugal Lineup, Team News
After going to extra time and penalties last time out against Spain, Morocco’s starting XI will largely depend on how the players recover.
If possible, coach Walid Regragui will likely stick with players who have been employed in the round of 16 without injury or suspension.
Morocco Estimated Lineup (4-3-3): 1. Bono (GK) — 2. Hakimi, 5. Aguird, 6. Sais, 3. Mazraoui — 8. Onahi, 4. Amrabat, 15. Amallah — 7. Ziyech, 19. En-Nesiri, 17. Boufal
Goncalo Ramos, who replaced Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring a hat-trick against Switzerland, could start from the bench again.
Joao Cancelo was another who was last favored in the fullback position with Rafael Guerreiro and Diogo Dalot and doing well.
Portugal Estimated Lineup (4-3-3): 22. Costa (GK) — 2. Dalot, 3. Pepe, 4. Dias, 5. Guerreiro – 25. Ottawa, 14. Carvalho, 10. Silva – 8. Fernandes, 26. Ramos, 11. Felix